Tauqir Sadiq remanded for another two weeks

RAWALPINDI: An accountability court in Rawalpindi on Friday sanctioned a request made by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) seeking a 14 day remand of Tauqir Sadiq, the former chief of the Oil and Gas Regularity Authority (Ogra) accused of involvement in a multi-billion rupee scam. The NAB's request was granted by Judge M. Bashir during a hearing of the Ogra corruption case in courtroom number 1 of the accountability court. Sadiq was also brought to court during today's proceedings during which the remand was approved with the court directing the authorities to produce the ex-Ogra chairman before it on August 16, the date for the coming hearing of the case. Sadiq is accused of misusing authority, embezzling funds and causing Rs82 billion (approximately $850 million) losses to the national exchequer by converting operating income (regular income) into non-operating income in violation of an agreement signed with the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, relocating several CNG stations, making illegal appointments, etc. He fled abroad soon after the Supreme Court declared his appointment as Ogra chief illegal on November 25, 2012, and ordered NAB to arrest him. Sadiq managed to leave the country although his name was on the exit control list. He was handed over by UAE authorities to a team of NAB officials on July 8. Two former prime ministers — Yousuf Raza Gilani and Raja Pervez Ashraf — have been accused of being involved in the ‘illegal’ appointment of Sadiq.