Court allows ‘final extension’ in Shahid Khaqan, Miftah Ismail’s remand

• An accountability court has extended the physical remand of Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Miftah Ismail in the LNG case for the last time.
• Abbasi told the court that he fears NAB will falsify evidence against him.
• Lawyer of Ismail has asked the court to at least allow his client to meet Abbasi once a day as he remains in isolation.

An accountability court granted on Thursday the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) a final extension in the physical remand of Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) leaders Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Miftah Ismail in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) case.

During the hearing today, NAB requested Judge Mohammad Bashir to extend the remand of both the leaders. The judge replied that Abbasi has been in NAB's custody for 56 days. Accepting the request Judge Bashir extended the remand and warned that this will be the last extention in the remand, local media reported.

The judge has remanded both the PML-N leaders into NAB's custody till September 26. Abbasi, who has been defending himself in the case, told the court that the bureau has no evidence against him and he fears that it will falsify some against him.

Meanwhile, the lawyer of Ismail informed the court that his client has been kept in isolation and is not even allowed to meet his family or lawyer. He requested the court that it allow the former finance minister to at least meet Abbasi once a day.