ISLAMABAD: An accountability court in Islamabad Monday has given National Accountability Bureau (NAB) 10 days to present the final challan against former chief of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) Tauqeer Sadiq accused of involvement in a multi-billion rupee scam, DawnNews reported.

The hearing of the case was heard by the accountability court’s judge Bashir Ahmed.

During the hearing, the former chief was produced in the court after a judicial remand of 14 days.

NAB’s Additional Deputy Prosecutor General Chaudhry Riaz submitted an application in the court, requesting 10 days to present the final challan against Sadiq.

The court granted the request, saying that the challan should be presented before it in 10 days so that the hearing of the case could proceed further.

The case's hearing was subsequently adjourned to November 18.

Sadiq is accused of misusing authority, embezzling funds and causing Rs82 billion (approximately $850 million) losses to the national exchequer by converting operating income (regular income) into non-operating income in violation of an agreement signed with the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, relocating several CNG stations, making illegal appointments, etc.

He had fled abroad soon after the Supreme Court declared his appointment as Ogra chief illegal on November 25, 2012, and ordered NAB to arrest him.

Sadiq had managed to leave the country although his name was on the exit control list. He was handed over by UAE authorities to a team of NAB officials on July 8.

Two former prime ministers — Yousuf Raza Gilani and Raja Pervez Ashraf — have been accused of being involved in the ‘illegal’ appointment of Sadiq.