Accountability Court Islamabad would resume hearing of Nandipur Power Project reference against former Prime Minister Pervaiz Ashraf and former law minister Babar Awan on Monday.

Earlier on October 24, the court had adjourned the hearing till 26th of November

During the proceedings, the accountability court had accepted the plea of former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf seeking exemption from court appearance for a month.

Seven persons including Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and former law minister Babar Awan nominated as accused in the case. On August 8, this year, the Supreme Court had reopened Nandipur Power case.

During the hearing, Chief Justice Saqib Nisar asked PML-N leader Khawaja Asif, “Why you did not solve the problems during your tenure as federal minister. You had the authority and should have resolved the issues.”

“I was separated from the case over the collision of interests,” replied Asif. “You were isolated but could have conducted the probe into the matter,” said Chief Justice.

“A commission headed by Rehmat Ali Jaffery was formed. It directed to complete the work on Nandipur and Chichu Ki Malia,” told Khawaja Asif. “The commission had also fixed responsibilities. You had filed a plea in 2011. Now seven years have passed. What has been left in the petition for hearing after all these years. You have made Wapda and Pepco parties in the case,” remarked SC.

“Nandipur project has been completed and working for the past five years,” declared Khawaja Asif.

“You gave the contract of Nadipur project to a Chinese company but according to rules you cannot do this,” maintained the CJP.

“The project has not been alloted on contract. Its ownership belongs to the government,” answered Asif.

“A prominent personality has been mentioned in your petition in paragraph 11. You have accused him of delaying the project,” asked Justice Umer Ata Bandial.“Yes it is right and the commission also approved this incident. The cost of the project increased due to the delay,” told Asif.