The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Thursday apprised the Supreme Court that a team would be leaving for the United Arab Emirates on Thursday to apprehend the former head of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) Tauqeer Sadiq, who was absconding in Rs 83 billion embezzlement case.
A two-member bench, headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja, took up a suo motu case related to implementation of its verdict over illegal appointment of Tauqeer Sadiq and a Rs 83 billion loss caused to national exchequer.
A NAB official told the bench that it had already sent a request to the Interpol for making a formal arrest of Sadiq who had been spotted in Sharjah.
During course of proceedings, NAB Deputy Director Waqas Ahmed said that their investigation was continuing under Section 31 of the National Accountability Ordinance against the officials responsible for facilitating his escape from the country.
He said a report about appropriate action against certain functionaries would be submitted soon with the NAB chairman.
Federal Investigation Agency Director (Legal) Azam Khan apprised the bench that it was confirmed that the absconder had left Kathmandu for Sharjah.
He said a NAB report was giving impression that the FIA might have helped Sadiq in fleeing from the country. He stressed that NAB team leaving for the UAE should also probe the same aspect.
Justice Khawaja termed NAB report good, but said they required to take next steps.
He said that law was equal for everyone, there were reports that Sadiq was allegedly facilitated by officials in NAB, FIA, Punjab Police, and the Interior Ministry. He also regretted that “cat and mouse game” was being staged before the court.
He said, “It would be an equally big scandal for the FIA, as he succeeded in fleeing the country.”
He told NAB officials to complete all required legal formalities before arresting Sadiq.
The bench also rejected a request of two witnesses who claimed that they were being harassed by the investigation agency. The bench told their counsel to approach the relevant court.
The officials of Punjab Police also assured the bench that they would also submit a report within three days into the escape. Later, the hearing was adjourned until January 17.