Dear reader, online ads enable us to deliver the journalism you value. Please support us by taking a moment to
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan appeared before the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) at the bureau's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) office in Peshawar on Tuesday in the case pertaining to alleged misuse of the provincial government's helicopters during his party's past tenure in KP.
A questionnaire prepared by NAB with 15 queries was handed to Khan and his lawyers. The questionnaire needs to be completed within 15 days, according to NAB officials.
The officials said that Imran Khan was "interrogated inside the NAB office in connection to the case for more than one hour".
Strict security measures were put in place around NAB's Peshawar office. Security was also tightened in Hayatabad and surrounding areas.
Earlier, the NAB had issued a notice to Imran Khan on July 11, summoning him to appear before a combined investigation team on July 18.
However, due to Khan’s involvement in the elections, his law firm Babar Awan and Associates had submitted an application asking for more time which was accepted.
Alleged misuse of helicopter
In February, after taking notice of the helicopter issue when it was highlighted by print and electronic media, NAB had taken its first action against Khan and KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak for allegedly misusing official helicopters for private visits.
NAB Chairman retired Justice Javed Iqbal had directed the bureau’s KP director general to conduct an inquiry against CM Khattak and Khan over 74-hours unofficial use of two government helicopters — Mi-17 and Ecureuil — by misusing authority.
The KP government, however, had denied that Khan used any official helicopter for his private and personal use.
A spokesperson of the PTI-led provincial government had said that since 2013, the government had not used helicopters for any purpose other than official business.
The bureau had said the PTI should have paid the KP government Rs11.1 million for the helicopters but official documents only mention a payment of Rs2.1 million.
The NAB alleged there was documentary evidence that Khan had paid Rs2.1 million for two helicopters belonging to the KP government — an Mi-171 and an Ecureuil — for a total of 74 hours, which amounts to Rs28,000 spent for every hour the helicopters were used.
In a statement, the PTI had welcomed NAB’s investigation into alleged misuse of helicopter and stated that it always supports fair investigations.
Additional reporting by Ali Akbar
Comments (39) Closed
Lead by example.... Pak's good time has just arrived.
Law should be same for everyone. A politician who misused tax payers money i.e. misuse of a Helicopter for personal use can not become a Prime Minister.
You are our pride Khan!
Goodbye start . No one above the law.
This is such a waste of time and energy. He's now elected PM of the nation. So give him a break if he misused the helicoper of the province while party Chairman.
NS used to fly alone, in a PIA 777, dedicated to him entirely, for days abroad, while the plane was unavailable for normal PIA flight operations for days, required parking and maintenance fees abroad, effecting thousands of passengers at home. He was the PM who acted like a King. He was never held to account for abuse of his power and wasting taxpayer's money. So why apply the standards only to IK?
This useless drama makes no sense.
Trying to portray itself as a neutral institution. Sorry NAB, in the world of politics, your credibility has become seriously suspicious!
Just a balancing act.He will get a clean chit in the end !
This will be a great precedent
Good to see protocol cut down.
very fair move from NAB
As promised he attended the NAB Peshawar office. No excuse no crying around. That's what I call 'Change'
Mr. IK please pay the required amount as per rate and give example for future of good governance
Excellent precedent set by the Prime-Minster-In-waiting of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Keep it up and hang on tough.
Well done Imran Khan. You have set an example that no one is above the Law.
Eyewash, to show that NAB is "impartial"!
Nothing will happen. The NAB will be satisfied with the answers.
PTI's payment of rs 2.1 million is itself a proof that helicopters were used for unofficial visit. what else NAB is looking for. if official helicopter is allowed to PTI, will KP government lend it to anyone who can afford it?
This is called the respect for the law by all irrespective of status. Good for Imran to clear his name and position. Never seen before in Pakistan's history when leaders set a good example and practice what they preach.
I was sure you will go, now it suits you. I hope now you will appear in the cases of foreign funding, attack on PTV case and also defamation case by Shahbaz Sharif.
If I do not appear before the court I get arrested and jailed until the next hearing. There is one law for IK another for common men like me.
Glad he went, this show leaders should behave and he should pay up if guilty.
This is good. As a leader IK has presented himself to the authorities as soon as he was free from the election campaign. I see it as a very positive development.
NAB where is billion tree project scam?
He was given a questionare whereas Nawaz was not given one. Maybe Imran is the beloved?
He paid for the use so what is the issue here?
NAB should refrain from such meaningless cases. This will open a pandoras box if they try to pursue this.
Good
Now that is a PM showing how justice applies to all.
PTI paid Rs.28,000 per hour for the helicopter use. Has the party of Sharifs ever paid for use of government helicopters, airplanes and cars?
No comments.
So here is the Khan's so called Protocol. 1 Police LandCruiser. 3 single cabins and 2 V8 Land Cruisers. Unfortunately still some people are calling it Protocol. We as nation needs to understand the difference between 5 escorting vehicles and 55 escorting vehicles
The helicopter of KPK government if misused was misused by the then CM KPK Pervez Khattak as Imran Khan was traveling along with him.This is a frivolous case against IK with malafide intentions of NAB.TheChairman NAB should be brought to book for defamation by IK and PTI.As a retired justice he should atleast frame a correct Charge.
28000 for every hour, that's about $280. That is about right if you rent a helicopter
Why a poor country has 2 helicopters for OFFICIAL business??????
Eye Wash!!!!! Just a balancing act! nothing more than that.
these are frivolous cases.if there are any question to be asked it should be to the chief Minister not to IK or anyone else. chief Minister does have some discretions like any other high position executive. if we remember an INDIAN FRIEND of former PRIME MINISTER came to Pakistan without due process and no inquiry was ever done.that was a National Security question.
@RUMI but he already paid for that
Fair enough.
There are two classes of citizens, one with the like of Sharif, and one with people like Imran.