An Accountability Court on Monday extended physical remand of senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and former Interior minister Ahsan Iqbal in Narowal Sport City Complex Project (NSCCP) scam till January 20.
The NAB officials produced Ahsan Iqbal before Accountability Court Judge Azam Khan following expiry of his seven days physical remand. The NAB prosecutor requested the court to extend physical remand of the accused for another 14 days in order to conduct further investigation from him.
During the hearing, NAB Prosecutor Usman Mirza told the court that the NSCCP had been executed without conducting feasibility study which indicates ill-well of the accused. Following the 18th amendment, the federal government had no power over a provincial project, he said.
He said that the same court had granted seven days physical remand of the accused during the previous hearing.
"Out of seven days, two days were spent during National Assembly session," he said.
The prosecutor said that NAB also wants to investigate Iqbal's job on the basis of Iqama (work permit). The NAB required extension in physical remand of the accused as its investigators have to go through a huge number of documents.
He also said that misuse of power comes under the category of corruption and corrupt practices.
Iqbal's counsel Barrister Zafarrullah while objecting to NAB's request said if the 18th amendment restricts center to intervene in any project of provincial government then under which law a provincial government is constructing two dams.
"It is beyond understanding that the provincial government is constructing dams," he said.
He said that the project had been approved by 20 members including secretary finance as well as secretaries of Finance Division of all four provinces.
"When 20 members had approved the project then why only his client has been arrested," he asked.
Zafarrullah said that the arguments made by NAB prosecutor have nothing new but just a repetition and there is nothing new.
He said that the board, which approved the project, also included members of Planning Division of four provinces as well as prime minister of Azad Jammu & Kashmir.
"Were those who approved the project blind if the federal government's budget could not be spent over NSCCP," he questioned.
The counsel further argued that escalation of cost of a project is not a crime but if money goes into anyone's pocket then it would be a crime.
Iqbal during proceeding had a dialogue with the judge and said, "They are talking about NSCCP but I think 10 more complexes should have been constructed. I have built sport complex and not constructed a night club."
During Pakistan People Party's government, a project of Rs 923 million had been announced, he said, adding that there had been no progress on the project but he completed it.
He said that there are many provincial projects which are assisted by the federal government. "The NAB has objection over execution of project in Narowal. Is Narowal is a part of Israel or India?" he said, adding that work has been stopped over the project after release of Rs 400 million fund stopped by the present government. "I want to file an application in the case," he said, adding that Prime Minister Imran Khan should be included in this case as he stopped budget of this project.
The court after hearing arguments of both the parties extended physical remand of the accused for another seven days and ordered NAB to produce him before it on January 20.
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