Khaqan terms PTI's government 'a group of thieves'

Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday declared Pakistan Tehreek-e-Inasf (PTI's) government a 'group of thieves, who have been installed to loot the people' of the country.

Talking to reporters after appearing before Accountability Court in liquefied natural gas (LNG) case, without naming any PTI leader, he said that ATM's are looting public money.

"No one is taking notice of growing inflation in the country", he said, adding, "Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief Minister Usman Buzdar should tell us that who is looting the masses".

The former premier said the present government failed the day it over, adding PTI government will be able to make a difference even if changes are made in it.

"This government is about to end...it's like a dead body and its funeral prayers are about to be offered any time soon", he added.

Earlier, the Accountability Court extended judicial remand of Abbasi and other accused in LNG reference till February 21.

The jail authorities produced Abbasi before the Accountability Court Judge Azam Khan on expiry of his judicial remand. Other accused in the case also appeared before the court.

The court marked attendance of all the accused, including ex-managing director (MD) Pakistan State Oil (PSO) Sheikh Imranul Haque and chairperson Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) Uzma Adil Khan.

Other accused including former finance minister Miftah Ismail, Hussain Dawood, Agha Jan Akhtar and Abdullah Dawood did not appear before the court as the court granted them permanent exemption from personnel appearance before it.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on December 26 granted bail to Miftah Ismail and he was released from Adiala Jail on bail after furnishing surety bonds worth of Rs 10 million.

The court also inquired about the progress report of arrests warrant of absconding accused Shahid M Islam, former MD PSO, from National Accountability Bureau (NAB). The NAB submitted its report regarding issuance of bailable arrest warrants for Islam.

During the previous course of hearing, the court observed that due to one absconding accused, the charges cannot be framed.

Accused Uzma Adil Khan has filed an application against the court order to submit a surety bonds worth Rs 10 million each and ensure their presence in the court.

The court during the previous hearing had directed the accused Adil Khan and former chairman Ogra Saeed Ahmed Khan to submit a surety bonds of worth Rs 10 million each and ensure their presence in the court.

The counsel for Ogra chairperson told the court that his client is not fleeing abroad as government placed her name on exit control list (ECL). He also argued before the court that his client is unable to deposit amount of surety bond.

"My client will fully cooperate with court's proceedings", he said, adding that she can deposit a surety bond of properties on her name.

The court, after hearing arguments, reserved its judgment over OGRA chairperson's application. The court also approved former ex- MD PSO's application seeking permanent exemption from personal appearance before the court.

NAB had filed LNG reference on December 12 before the Accountability Court and nominated nine accused including Abbasi, Ismail, ex-MD PSO Sheikh Imranul Haque, Agha Jan Akhtar, former chairman Port Qasim Authority (PQA), Saeed Ahmed Khan, former chairman Ogra, Aamir Naseem, former member oil Ogra, Uzma Adil Khan, chairperson Ogra, Shahid M Islam, former MD PSO, and Abdul Samad Dawood.