On Monday, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) announced its decision to withdraw its reference concerning alleged ‘illegal’ appointments at Pakistan State Oil (PSO).
NAB had previously filed this reference against former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and the then petroleum secretary, accusing them of making appointments in violation of regulations. NAB claimed these actions led to a financial loss of Rs138 million to the national exchequer.
During today’s hearing in the accountability court, the NAB team requested the withdrawal of the case. The court approved this request and instructed NAB to return the reference to its chairman.
This case had been ongoing since 2020 when the accountability court indicted Abbasi and three others on charges related to alleged illegal appointments to two significant positions at PSO. Throughout the proceedings, Abbasi had persistently demanded evidence to support the claims against him.
Despite the hearings extending over a period of more than four years, NAB decided to withdraw the reference today. This move effectively ends the legal battle concerning the alleged PSO appointments.
