ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has granted bail to Fawad Chaudhry in the Jhelum Pind Dadan Khan Project case, approving his application for release.
Former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry’s bail application was considered by Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, with Advocate Qaiser Imam representing him during the hearing.
During the proceedings, the defense argued that an arrest warrant, citing five charges, was issued against Fawad Chaudhry on December 18, 2023. The allegations center around purported political influence exerted by Chaudhry in the project.
Prosecutor Rafi Maqsood informed the court that a witness alleged Fawad Chaudhry accepted a bribe of 50 lakh rupees. Chief Justice Amir Farooq questioned the relevance of this amount to the jurisdiction of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). The NAB prosecutor clarified that the case is still under inquiry, with efforts ongoing to gather additional details from pertinent institutions.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the lack of concrete evidence, Chief Justice Farooq remarked that NAB should focus on providing substantial evidence rather than referring to past court decisions.
In a display of impatience, Chief Justice Aamer Farooq rebuked the NAB prosecutor for invoking a Supreme Court decision, emphasizing the need for present evidence.
Following deliberation, the court approved Fawad Chaudhry’s bail application and ordered his release.
It is pertinent to note that Fawad Chaudhry had been detained in Adiala Jail on judicial remand.
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)
