ISLAMABAD: An accountability court in Islamabad on Saturday approved the six-day remand of former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry in a case of alleged misappropriation in construction projects in Jhelum, Geo News reported.
Accountability Court Judge Muhammad Bashir heard the case on Saturday. Fawad was brought to the court after completion of his 10-day physical remand.
The court remarked that the investigation into the case should be completed while Fawad should also be allowed to meet his lawyers. The former minister will be presented in the court on January 5, 2024.
Fawad was detained by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in a corruption case earlier this month.
According to Geo News report, NAB Chairman Lieutenant-General (retd) Nazir Ahmed Butt had signed the arrest warrant for the politician, following which he was taken into custody from Adiala jail – where he is being held in a separate fraud case. Was imprisoned in.
The former minister’s lawyer and brother Faisal Chaudhary and NAB prosecutor Sohail Arif were also present in the courtroom.
While presenting his arguments, Fawad told the court that four charges have been leveled against him.
He said, “I was accused of using my influence while I was a minister. This project was of PSDP (Public Sector Development Programme) and it was approved.” “It was my duty to convey the demands of the residents of my area to the government. What is the point of being in politics if I do not work for the people of my constituency.”
Presenting his arguments, the NAB prosecutor said that he had asked for 14 days of physical remand but he was given only 10 days.
“Banking records indicating suspicion of irregularities have been sought. The contractor is also involved.”
n was called on January 2,” he further said.
Arif said NAB wants to further investigate Fawad while requesting a 10-day extension in the physical remand of the former information minister.
“Fawad Chaudhary should be given 10-day physical remand to complete the investigation,” NAB prosecutor said. He said he has also summoned two more people in connection with the construction projects.
According to Geo News, the politician was arrested from his Islamabad residence on November 4 after a complaint was filed against him at Islamabad’s Abpara police station for accepting a bribe of Rs 5 million Pakistani rupees (PKR) in exchange for a job.
In January, Fawad was taken into custody from his residence after he publicly “threatened” members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) while speaking to the media outside the residence of former PTI chief Imran Khan in Zaman Park. However, the then coalition government maintained that it had no involvement in the arrest of the politician.
The politician had apologized to the election watchdog for allegedly using “intemperate” language while targeting the ECP and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja in June this year.
Fawad was also among thousands of party workers and leaders arrested for the party’s alleged involvement in violence during the crackdown on PTI following the May 9 riots that left at least eight people dead and Dozens of others were injured.
In June, the former minister was among the PTI leaders present during the launching ceremony of the Istihkaam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP), led by Khan’s close political aide Jahangir Tareen, Geo News reported.
