Court hears KPT reference against Babar Ghauri and others

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has submitted a report in an accountability court about declaring former minister for ports and shipping Babar Ghauri a proclaimed offender, local media reported on Monday.

As per details, the court in Karachi was hearing the reference of illegal recruitment and misuse of power in Karachi Port Trust (KPT).

Former federal minister and MQM leader Babar Ghauri has been absconder in the case, while others accused including Sindh Assembly member Javed Hanif, Rauf Akhtar Farooqui have already been nabbed in the case.

The prosecutor of the accountability watchdog presented a report with regard to the action on declaring the absconding former minister Ghauri a proclaimed offender.

He informed the court that under Section 88, the bureau is taking action to seize properties of the accused person. “The bureau still waiting for reports from some districts of Punjab and Balochistan,” NAB prosecutor said.

Former KPT chairman Javed Hanif’s counsels filed a plea in court seeking permission for their client to go abroad for his medical treatment.

The court issued notices to the prosecution and the NAB over the application. The court adjourned further hearing of the case until November 09.

It is worth to mention here that, the MQM leader and others are facing charges of massive corruption of around Rs 2.8 billion in KPT, when he was federal minister for Ports and Shipping between 2008 and 2013.

The accused are facing charges of making 940 illegal appointments in the KPT in 2012.