IHC orders Fawad Chaudhry’s release

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court has granted bail to former information minister Fawad Chaudhary in the case of misappropriation in construction projects in Jhelum.

IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri heard the case and approved the politician’s bail who remains imprisoned in Adiala Jail on judicial remand after being arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in December last year.

His lawyer, Advocate Qaiser Imam, appeared in the court on his behalf. During the hearing of, the NAB prosecutor said they have a witness claims that Fawad Chaudhary took a bribe of Rs500,000.”

The IHC chief justice asked him how does Rs500,000 come under the jurisdiction of NAB. The prosecutor responded saying that the case is still at an inquiry stage and NAB is getting more details.

“I have written to all relevant institutions including the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC),” the prosecutor.

The chief justice questioned that NAB first arrested the man and later sought evidence. “What is the main evidence against Fawad Chaudhary with NAB?” CJ Aamer Farooq asked.

The IHC chief justice expressed his disapproval after the NAB prosecutor referred to the Supreme Court’s verdict. “Leave the Supreme Court, mention the evidence first,” he remarked.

NAB had taken Fawad into custody in the corruption case on December 16 after an arrest warrant was signed by Chairman Lt-Gen (retd) Nazir Ahmed Butt.

Fawadhas been behind bars since November 4 last year after he was arrested from residence in Islamabad following a complaint filed against him in Islamabad’s Aabpara Police Station.

In January last year, Fawad was taken into custody from his residence after he publicly “threatened” the members of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) outside former PTI chief Imran Khan’s residence in Zaman Park.

He issued an apology to the electoral watchdog for using intemperate language targeting the ECP and Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja.

Fawad was also arrested during the crackdown on the PTI since May 9 for the party’s alleged involvement in the riots during which military installations were installed.