ISLAMABAD: An Accountability Court returned six rental power plant (RPP) references against National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf back to National Accountability Bureau (NAB), declaring them not maintainable under fresh changes in related law.

Court observed that it could no longer hear these cases after amendments to accountability law. Six references included those of Reshma, Gulf, Samundri, Ratu Dero and Satyana rental power projects. Judge Syed Asghar Ali announced verdict on a petition challenging these references under NAB Amendment Act, 2022. Judge stated that after amendments in law, these references did not fall in jurisdiction of Accountability Court. Similarly, in February this year, an accountability court had quashed Naudero Power Plant corruption reference filed by NAB against Ashraf and others. NAB had alleged that Ashraf had misused his powers in RPPs being minister for water and power during regime of PPP. In 2009, PPP government had awarded contracts to nine RPPs to provide electricity to country as a stopgap arrangement. These RPPs comprised both local and international firms, including Karkey Karadeniz Elektrik Uretin of Turkey.

Ashraf was federal minister for water and power at time of signing of agreement. He was later elected as prime minister in June 2012 after disqualification of his predecessor Yousuf Raza Gilani. Ashraf was accused of receiving kickbacks and commissions from nine rental power project firms during his tenure as minister for water and power for awarding contracts to them for setting up their projects in country in 2008 to overcome electricity crisis. On June 25 2020, Accountability Court-I Judge Muhammad had acquitted Ashraf and nine others in Sahiwal Rental Power reference. Later on June 30, 2020, Accountability Court had also acquitted Ashraf and seven others in Piranghaib rental power reference.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 14 2022

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