A local court in Karachi on Saturday extended the physical remand of main suspect Zamir Abbasi in the alleged Rs8.5 billion corruption case related to Karachi’s Yellow Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project.

During proceedings at the City Court, the judge accepted a request by the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) and granted investigators an additional four-day physical remand of Zamir Abbasi.

Anti-corruption officials told the court that Abbasi had allegedly misused his official position by colluding with contractors and providing them with unlawful financial benefits.

According to the investigation report, the suspect allegedly approved financial assistance worth Rs8.5 billion to contractors without obtaining the required bank guarantees, causing substantial losses to the national exchequer.

After hearing the arguments, the court ordered that Abbasi remain in police custody for further investigation and directed authorities to produce him again on July 1.

The court also sought a progress report from the investigating officer regarding developments in the case.

Anti-corruption officials said further questioning of the suspect would be carried out during the extended remand period, while additional evidence is also being collected against him.