Islamabad High Court (IHC) has acquitted federal minister Ahsan Iqbal from NAB reference pertaining to Narowal Sports City Project (NSCP).
A two members bench of IHC presided over by the Chief Justice (CJ) Athar Minallah took up the case for hearing Wednesday.
Ahsan Iqbal appeared in the court along with his counsel.
The court inquired from NAB investigation officer where the corruption was committed in it. He should tell. When the case was given to you.
The investigation officer told the court this case was handed over to him in 2018. The accused was arrested in 2019.
The court inquired from NAB authorities can they tell what is CDWP. Tell us where the corruption has been committed in this case.
The court remarked the then chairman NAB took action in this case by taking unknown news paper from somewhere. This project was evolved with the approval of Central Development Working Party (CDWP) The investigation officer of this case did not know what is CDWP.
NAB prosecutor told we are seeing this case under new amendment ordinance.
The court remarked the new amendment ordinance has nothing to do with it. You filed the reference without knowing what is CDWP. Have you seen the statement of the secretary whom you have made approver.
NAB prosecutor told this project was provincial matter after 18th amendment. This project was handed over to interprovincial coordination ministry.
The court inquired was Ahsan Iq bal minister of inter-provincial coordination.
NAB authorities told Ahsan Iqbal was planning minister.
The court inquired then what power was held by Ahsan Iqbal which was misused.
The court while addressing the NAB authorities remarked you stopped public project. Who became cause of additional expenses in this project.
NAB authorities said they had not stopped the project.
The court inquired you had framed this case on the news of which newspaper.
NAB authorities told the court the reference was made on the news of Metro Watch news paper.
The CJ inquired Metro watch news paper was from where and what was written therein. Read it. There were thirty people in CDWP. Did all these people commit corruption. Was the corruption case made on the basis of news item.
NAB prosecutor told the court permit us to see this case as per law which is in place now.
The court remarked leave the present law. We had interpreted previous law too.
The court while reprimanding the investigation officer remarked you need training. Who is responsible for the loss caused to public welfare project. Who is responsible for what defamation you caused. Federal government is launching several projects in provinces. Will NAB seize them.
The court remarked did you investigate from Punjab government how the federation took away their project. We wonder that the officer who arrested Ahsan Iqbal did not know what is CDWP.
The court remarked you have made all the cases like this.
The court while hearing the arguments of the lawyers of the respondents acquitted Ahsan Iqbal from reference.
