NAB arrests former PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in Lahore

The National Accountability Court (NAB) arrested on Thursday Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

The bureau apprehended Abbasi from Lahore Toll Plaza in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) case, local media reported. He was on his way to attend a press conference when he was arrested. As per the arrest warrant, NAB has accused Abbasi of 'commission of the offence of corruption and corrupt practices under Section 9(a) of National Accountability Ordinance (NAO), 1999.'

NAB had already summoned Abbasi to appear at its office in Islamabad today. The bureau has accused the PML-N leader and others of misusing his authority and illegally awarding LNG terminal contract for a period of 15 years to a company of their liking.

PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz has shared a video on Twitter from the time of Abbasi’s arrest. The video shows Abbasi sitting in his vehicle while the NAB team is also present there and he can be heard asking the team to show his arrest warrant. Maryam has also shared a picture of the arrest warrant on Twitter.

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— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) July 18, 2019

PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif condemned  and strongly protested Abbasi's arrest. The president said that the 'bureau has become Imran Khan's puppet'. "Such cheap tactics will not waver our spirits," Shehbaz added.

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— President PMLN (@president_pmln) July 18, 2019

PML-N leaders Ahsan Iqbal and Marriyum Aurangzeb also condemned the arrest and said that Abbasi was arrested on a 'photocopy arrest warrant'.

Former PM Shahid Khaqan arrested on an uncertified photocopy. “N League Accountability Bureau (NAB)” arrests SVP of PMLN. Mega corruption scandals remain untouched under PTI umbrella. pic.twitter.com/depubUaRt7

— Ahsan Iqbal (@betterpakistan) July 18, 2019

Former Minister of Pakistan Shahid Khaqan abbasi arrested on a photocopy arrest warrant . This is selected Imran Khan’s Naya PAKISTAN @ImranKhanPTI pic.twitter.com/YSe2qXVyLz

— Marriyum Aurangzeb (@Marriyum_A) July 18, 2019

Pakistan Peoples Party's Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari also tweeted and wrote in favor of the former PM.

Another former democratically elected Prime Minister arrested. And apparently being critical of the Selected Gov is now treason. Welcome to Youthopia #NayaDictatorship.

— Bakhtawar B-Zardari (@BakhtawarBZ) July 18, 2019