PESHAWAR: Accountability Court in Lahore granted clean chit to former Punjab Chief Minister and leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif’s in saaf pani case on Saturday.
The accountability Court Judge Muhammad Sajid Ali issued the written judgment, acquitting 16 accused including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Raja Qamar-ul-Islam in Saaf Pani Case. The court maintained that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) could not prove any violation or illegality in the project. ”From assessment survey to the completion of the project, PPRA rules and regulations were fully implemented,” said the judgment.
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The verdict said that the changes in the project were made on the recommendations and approval of concerned committees to further improve the project and bring maximum benefit to the people. The court maintained that the relevant committees also ensured that the cost of the project does not increase.
The accountability court in its verdicts said that one floor of the plaza owned by Shahbaz Sharif’s son-in-law Ali Imran and daughter Rabia Imran was rented out to the project through open bidding (transparent auction). The prosecution had alleged that the floor was never occupied and advance rent was paid. But according to the verdict, the saaf pani company not only took possession but also the new management also maintained the contract with some changes.
According to the verdict, it is clear that there was no illegality, violation of rules or financial benefits in the project. “The former CEO Wasim Ajmal did not abuse his powers and did not grant any unnecessary benefit to the co-accused,” the verdict maintained. The court also that the issued between Ali Imran’s company and Saaf Pani was about non-compliance with the terms and conditions of the agreement which does not fall under the purview of NAB rules.