The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has withdrawn its appeals against the acquittal of former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and other accused in rental power cases. The Islamabad High Court approved NAB’s requests during a hearing before Chief Justice Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Ayaz Shaukat.
An Islamabad accountability court acquitted the accused in the Piranghaib and Sahiwal Rental Power Project references in 2020. NAB later challenged the decisions by filing appeals before the Islamabad High Court.
Court Approves NAB’s Withdrawal Requests
The rental power projects emerged under the Pakistan Peoples Party government in 2008 and 2009 to address severe electricity shortages. NAB subsequently filed 12 references, alleging that officials misused their authority and increased mobilisation advances from 7% to 14%.
The alleged increase involved approximately Rs.22 billion in payments to power companies. Several companies received the funds but failed to provide the agreed electricity, according to NAB’s allegations.
One major case involved Karkey Karadeniz Elektrik Uretim, a Turkish company operating a ship-mounted power plant. The dispute caused substantial losses for Pakistan and resulted in a $1.2 billion international arbitration claim.
Rental Power Cases Near Final Resolution
The Supreme Court took suo motu notice of the rental power projects between 2011 and 2013. However, amendments to accountability laws in 2022 affected cases where authorities lacked direct evidence that accused individuals personally benefited financially.
In April 2025, Accountability Judge Ali Warraich discharged Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and other accused in the Karkey, Bhakki and Sharaqpur references. The decision moved the remaining proceedings closer to an end following earlier acquittals in the Sahiwal and Piranghaib cases.
