ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) granted bail to former information minister Fawad Chaudhary in a case related to misappropriation in construction projects in Jhelum.
The court approved the politician’s bail during the hearing of the case, where he was arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in December last year.
Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri of the IHC granted bail to Chaudhary, who remains imprisoned in Adiala Jail on judicial remand in the case. His lawyer, Advocate Qaiser Imam, represented him in court.
Chaudhary has dismissed the allegations against him as politically motivated, asserting that the NAB cases lack grounds. He is facing charges related to misappropriation in construction projects, including the Lillah-Jhelum road in Jhelum.
The NAB prosecutor claimed that Chaudhary unlawfully awarded a contract to a contractor. Chaudhary communicated his perspective from jail through his brother Advocate Faisal Fareed, stating that the allegations imply that he used his political influence for the construction project.
Chaudhary expressed frustration over the project’s halt, highlighting its significant impact on the region’s development and the inconvenience faced by the local population. He criticized the delay and cost escalation of the project, emphasizing the need for its completion to benefit hundreds of thousands of people.
Additionally, he pointed out the halting of construction work on a trauma center in Toba, underscoring the neglect of development projects in smaller regions.
Chaudhary questioned the unequal distribution of development projects, emphasizing the rights of people in smaller cities like Jhelum to receive equitable development opportunities. He refrained from commenting further on the political situation, emphasizing the importance of addressing regional development needs.
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