LNG reference: Accountability court adjourns hearing till 8th

ISLAMABAD: An accountability court on Tuesday adjourned the hearing of the LNG reference against former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, ex-finance advisor Miftah Ismail and others till June 8.

AC-II Judge Muhammad Azam Khan heard the graft reference filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). Abbasi and other accused appeared before the court. During the hearing, the defence counsel continued cross-examination of prosecution witnesses.

Abbasi's lawyer Barrister Zafarullah continued the cross-examination of witness Abdul Rasheed Jokheo. The witness said Rs 752 billion had been approved till July 2019 for the LNG project. He said it was correct that the LNG terminal project belonged to the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) and public companies, adding that it was also right that RLNG was used. The project was approved in a meeting of the ECC, he said, adding that the meeting was held under the chair of the then finance minister. After the ECC, the cabinet also approved the project, he said.

Meanwhile, the lawyer of Abbasi concluded his cross-examination of witness Allah Nawaz. The court instructed the counsel of other co-accused to conduct cross-examination of the prosecution witnesses on the next hearing and adjourned the case.