SC orders FIA to cancel Tauqeer Sadiqs passport
The SC has directed the FIA to cancel the passport of former OGRA chairman Tauqeer Sadiq.
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court also ordered the Punjab Police to submit report about the people who were involved in the escape of former chairman Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority.
A two-member bench of the apex court comprising Justice Jawad S. Khawaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain heard the OGRA scam case on Wednesday pertaining to orders for Tauqir Sadiq’s arrest where the judges expressed annoyance over authorities’ failure to arrest the former OGRA chairman.
During the hearing, Justice Jawad S. Khawaja remarked that law enforcement agencies did not appear to be aware of the whereabouts of the accused.
Acting IG Punjab Police Malik Khuda Bakhash told the bench that Tauqeer Sadiq had not been arrested so far, adding that the former OGRA chief had two passports.
However, no records were available on Tauqeer Sadiq’s departure from the country, the official said.
Responding to which, Justice Jawad S. Khawaja said it was unusual that no record was available on the former OGRA chief’s departure from the country.
He remarked that officials traveled to Kathmandu to trace Tauqeer Sadiq, adding that the expenses for that purpose were paid by the government. He added that it seemed that only the Supreme Court was interested in the matter.
Inspector General National Highways & Motorway Police Zafar Abbas Lak told the SC that they formed a team comprising Inspector General, Deputy Inspector General and Inspector for arresting Tauqeer Sadiq.
Director Legal FIA told SC that Interpol will be contacted for issuance of red warrant of former OGRA chief.
Then the SC ordered FIA to submit report regarding issuance of two passports to former chairman OGRA Thursday and ordered Punjab Police to submit report who were behind his escape from the country within a week.
Moreover, the SC ordered NAB to submit interim report regarding what actions have been taken so far to enforce apex court’s orders dated 18th and 31st December, 2012.
Subsequently, the SC adjourned hearing of the case till Thursday.
Tauqeer Sadiq is accused of misusing authority, embezzling funds and causing Rs82 billion losses to the national exchequer by converting operating income (regular income) into non-operating income in violation of an agreement signed with the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, relocating several CNG stations, making illegal appointments.
Tauqeer Sadiq is also said to be a close relative of PPP’s Secretary General Jehangir Badar.
