NAB files appeal for reopening of references against Anwar Saifullah

National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has filed an appeal for re-opening of several references against former minister of Petroleum Anwar Saifullah Khan, including illegal allocation of LPG quota involving $42 million and Rs 75 million. The spokesman of NAB confirmed that the Bureau has filed an appeal against the decision of the accountability court, which acquitted the former minister.
He said that there were several references against Anwar Saifullah Khan, for misuse of power in allotment of LPG quota and appointments in the Ministry. All these references were filed by Chief Ehtesab Commissioner of Ehtesab Bureau, Saifur Rehman, in 1998, the spokesman revealed.
He said that Anwar Saifullah was allegedly involved in awarding natural gas quotas to some of his close aides without following proper procedures. It was also alleged that he got commission while awarding the gas quotas. There were several corruption references against the former minister in which an accountability court had absolved him of charges after promulgation of National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) by former military dictator Musharraf.
These cases included misuse of authority in allocation of LPG quota ex-Dhodak, illegal appointments and charges relating to four further counts of corruption and corrupt practices, misuse of official aircraft, and causing loss to the exchequer. All were dismissed/ withdrawn under the section 33 of the NRO on May 7, 2008.
But after the NRO was declared void ab initio, the NAB filed an appeal in the Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindi bench for their revival. This appeal is premised on the decision by the Ministry of Petroleum to formally approach NAB to resume cases against which references were filed regarding illegal grant of LPG quota from Dhodak Gas Field, informed sources in the Ministry told Business Recorder on Monday.
According to a report available with Business Recorder presented before the sub-committee of National Assembly Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Resources, in April 1994, Anwar Saifullah Khan had reallocated the LPG production from Dhodak field to six LPG companies namely (i) M/s Wak Gas (50 Metric tons per day (MTD)), (ii) M/s Lub Gas (25 MTD), (iii) M/s Eirad Co (50 MTD), (iv) M/s Ranja Enterprises (20 MTD), (v) M/s Balochistan Gas(20 MTD) and (vi) M/s Mehran Gas Co (25 MTD).
In case of grant of LPG quota to these private sector companies, NAB had filed two references of irregularities/corruption vide their Reference No 3/2000 and Reference No 7/2000, "State Vs Anwar Saifullah Khan" in respect of allocations granted to M/s Mehran Gas and M/s Balochistan Gas, in the National Accountability Court, Rawalpindi.
NAB also penalised six private sector companies viz: M/s Lub Gas, M/s Mehran Gas, M/s Wak Limited, M/s Ranja Enterprises, M/s Balochistan Gas and M/s Eirad Company, in view of illegal gains obtained for a number of years since grant of allocation of LPG quota to them.
According to the report, the companies were required to pay, apart from the total amount equivalent to 15 percent per annum on unlawful gain accrued to them till the time of payment of illegal gain to NAB, as stipulated in the Agreement signed between them and the NAB to withdraw their cases in respect of Ex-Dhodak. The total amount was worked out at around Rs 286.92 million.
Additional Secretary Petroleum Ijaz Chaudhry gave an undertaking to Sub Committee of National Assembly Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Resources, which met on Thursday. The sub-committee directed to comply with the decision of the Supreme Court and initiate proceedings against those involved in irregularities regarding allocation of LPG quota.
"Petroleum Ministry will write to NAB to initiate proceeding on LGP quota, and submit a report within seven days," Additional Secretary assured the sub committee investigating the issue of LPG quota allotment. The Committee will submit its report to Parliament after completing its findings.
According to documents available with this correspondent, from April to October 1996, around 20 allocations were made by Anwar Saifullah against future production of LPG, expected to come on stream at various fields under development between 1996 and 1998. These include: Kunnar (OGDCL), Bobi (OGDCL), Fimkassar (OGDCL), Missa Keswal (OGDCL), Garhi Hassu (OGDCL), and Pindori (POL) etc.
The allocations made to companies are: M/s Bolan Gas (20 MTD Ex-Filmkassar), M/s Ali & Co (10 MTD Ex- Pindori), M/s Infinity Gas (20 MTD Ex-Garhi Hassu), M/s Khyber Gas (30MTD Ex-Garhi Hassu), M/s Raheel Traders (20 MTD Ex-Garhi Hassu), M/s Akbar Associates (20 MTD Ex-Missa Keswal), M/s Al Kausar Gas (05 MTD Ex-Missa Keswal), M/s Rifaz & Co (05 MTD Ex-Missa Keswal), M/s Good Gas (20 MTD Ex- Kunnar), M/s Sheikhu Gas (20 MTD Ex-Kunnar), M/s SSGCL (20 MTD Ex-Kunnar), M/s ELPE Gas (10 MTD Ex- Kunnar), M/s Wass Brothers (20 MTD Ex- Kunnar), M/s Ms Aamna Hayat (20 MTD Ex- Kunnar), M/s Green Gas (20 MTD Ex- Pindori), M/s ELPE Gas (10 MTD Ex-Bobi), M/s Lifeline (10 MTD Ex-Bobi), M/s Summit Gas (20 MTD Ex- Bobi), M/s Jamfar Gas (20 MTD Ex- Bobi) and M/s Resources Generation Int. (05 MTD Ex- Bobi)
After the dismissal of the government in November 1996, the Cabinet on November 11, 1996, while considering the Summary on "Allocation of LPG" cancelled all the LPG licences granted on political basis or on extraneous considerations against the public interest.