Former PML-N Leaders Acquitted in LNG Reference Case

Former PML-N leaders Miftah Ismail and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi were recently acquitted by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) reference case. The duo, along with others, received a clean chit from the anti-graft authority, marking the end of a legal battle that began with allegations of corruption in an LNG import contract awarded in 2015.

Miftah Ismail, who had faced a raid on his residence by anti-corruption authorities during the previous PTI government's tenure, emotionally recounted the distressing experience on a private TV talk show. He expressed relief at the acquittal but described it as a bitter day, reflecting on the suffering his family endured during the ordeal.

The case against Miftah and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi involved accusations of awarding an LNG import contract at inflated prices, leading to significant financial losses for the national treasury. However, during the hearing in the accountability court, NAB informed the judge that they were withdrawing the reference against the former prime minister and others, ultimately clearing their names.

Despite the emotional toll of the legal battle, Miftah Ismail urged authorities to hold accountable those responsible for initiating what he claimed was a false corruption case. The acquittal in the high-profile LNG scandal brings closure to a chapter of uncertainty and distress for the former PML-N leaders and their families.