The Rawalpindi Accountability court here on Saturday released Ismail Qureshi, former secretary Establishment Division. Accountability Court Judge released Ismail Qureshi after he submitted an undertaking and surety bonds to the court. In his undertaking, Qureshi assured the court that he would cooperate with NAB's three-member team constituted to investigate the case of Adnan Khawaj's appointment as Director General (DG) Oil and Gas Development Company Ltd (OGDCL).
Qureshi stated in the court that the appointment of Adnan Khawaja was made on the verbal instructions of Secretary Cabinet Division Nagris Sethi. He told the court that Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had asked Sethi to ensure Khawaja's appointment on top OGDCL slot.
The accountability court Judge asked the Investigation Officer in the Adnan Khawaja case to explain why Qureshi's arrest was necessary. Investigation Officer Mohsin Ali told the court that Qureshi was arrested on January 12 for obtaining the record regarding appointments.
When the court asked whether or not the NAB called Qureshi for an inquiry before his arrest, the Investigation Officer told the court that he was not called for any inquiry before his arrest. In his remarks, judge Tariq Abbasi raise a question if Ismail Qureshi was co-operating with the investigating officials then why he was arrested. The court observed that if he (Qureshi) was co-operating with the NAB then his arrest was not necessary.
The court directed the investigation officer to arrest Qureshi on the basis of any solid proof against him. It may mentioned here that the NAB arrested Qureshi after the Apex court issued orders regarding the implementation of court's verdict on the NRO case on January 10, 2012. Qureshi is facing charges in relation to illegal appointment of Adnan Khawaja as DG OGDCL.
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