Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Miftah Ismail’s remand extended in LNG case

ISLAMABAD: An accountability court on Thursday extended the physical remand of former prime minister and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and former finance minister Miftah Ismail by 14 days in an ongoing probe into the liquefied natural gas (LNG) case.

The PML-N leaders were presented before the court today, following the expiration of their remand.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had requested for an extension in the remand of the two PML-N leaders.

During today’s hearing, the investigating officer told the court that he had brought all the records with him and on the basis of records and evidence the accountability watchdog was requesting for an extension.

NAB officials told the court, Ismail has been granted 35 days of remand till now.

To this, the PML-N leader’s lawyer Waheed Haider said his client was kept alone for 35 hours. “He should have at least been allowed to have lunch with Shahid Khaqan Abbasi,” Ismail’s lawyer said.

Opposing the request for an extension in the former finance minister’s physical remand, Haider said the 14-day remand extension was unjust.

“The allegations have nothing to do with Miftah Ismail,” he added.

The accountability then approved NAB’s request for the 14-day extension and ordered the accused to be presented on September 26.