ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday granted post-arrest bail to former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry in a case related to alleged corruption in the acquisition of land for the Lilla-Pind Dadan Khan-Jhelum dual carriageway project.

The IHC division bench, comprising Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, granted bail to Fawad Chaudhry.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had alleged that Chaudhry “extended unlawful political influence and prepared an incorrect feasibility report of the Jhelum-Pind Dadan Khan Dual Carriageway project by fabricating facts”.

The bureau accused him of receiving “illegal gratification from contractor”.

NAB further alleged that Fawad “approved a petrol pump along the dual carriageway road project for his personal interest” and misused authority and influence to help his relatives and others with the purchase of land along the dual carriageway.

The counsel for Fawad Chaudhry argued that the case was “politically motivated” and “brought just for political victimisation and to stop the petitioner from contesting the general elections”.

He argued that Fawad was a well-known politician and nothing was recovered during his physical remand.

Published in Dawn, April 2nd, 2024