Usman Buzdar secures pre-arrest bail in NAB case

• Former CM Punjab also faces charges of misuse of authority.
• Buzdar's counsel feared his client could be arrested.
  
• The PTI leader claims NAB case "politically motivated".

LAHORE: Former Punjab chief minister Sardar Usman Buzdar Monday managed to obtain a pre-arrest bail till November 22 after word got out that a National Accountability Bureau (NAB) team was ready to take him into custody.

The NAB is investigating cases against Buzdar on charges of misuse of authority and corruption in award of a liquor licence.

An accountability court barred NAB from arresting Buzdar by granting him anticipatory bail; however, the court has ordered the PTI leader to become a part of the investigation.

Buzdar's counsel feared his client could be arrested as NAB's case was "politically motivated".

Seeking a reply from NAB in the next hearing on November 22, presiding judge Naseem Ahmad Virk granted Buzdar bail and directed him to deposit Rs500,000 in the form of surety bonds.