Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and all other defendants were acquitted in a reference pertaining to illegal recruitments in the Pakistan State Oil (PSO) by the Accountability Court in Karachi. Abbasi stated that the case was not about corruption but misuse of authority, and called for the abolition of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

The Accountability Court heard the reference regarding the illegal appointment of the Managing Director of PSO. The court granted the NAB officials’ request to withdraw the reference, ordering its return to the NAB Chairman.

Besides Abbasi, other acquitted individuals include former MD PSO Sheikh Imran Haq, former Secretary Petroleum Arshad Mirza, and former MD PSO Yaqub Sattar.

Speaking to the media outside the Accountability Court, Abbasi expressed his joy at the acquittal, stating that it had taken four years and two months for NAB to withdraw the reference. He highlighted that the judge had acquitted four defendants in the case, while another individual had been facing charges for 12 years.

He criticized the fact that only one witness, brought by NAB, had testified against them, and that witness had not made any accusations against them.

Abbasi pointed out that in Sindh, securing bail in NAB cases requires approaching the High Court, and that this case was not about corruption but misuse of authority. He argued that cases are often fabricated against political figures, and he had endured this case for years.

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He further stated that a High Court judge had questioned who had the authority to appoint heads, and that the judge had written in the verdict that the case was flawed. He emphasized that only one witness had been presented against them over the years, and that the reference was not against corruption but misuse of authority. He added that the court had previously declared the reference to be flawed, and that it had been ongoing for over four years. He attributed this to the leniency of the system.

Abbasi also mentioned meeting with Kamran Michael that day, who is facing a similar reference. He reiterated his stance that NAB should be abolished as soon as possible for the betterment of the country, warning that if it is not, Pakistan will not progress. He stressed the need to reform the judicial system.

The former Prime Minister concluded by stating that the truth of the case had come to light in court, and that such cases are often initiated for political engineering. He emphasized the need for all stakeholders in Pakistan to sit together and address all issues. He highlighted that he has initiated a program to improve future processes, and that countries often cited as examples resolve cases within three to four days.