LAHORE, June 18: An accountability court recorded the statement of a prosecution witness in a corruption case against Pakistan People’s Party secretary general Jehangir Badar.

When the proceedings resume on June 25, the examination of the witness, Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited’s former managing director Muqaddas Khan, will continue.

Appearing as the second prosecution witness, Mr Khan produced some documents pertaining to appointments in the SNGPL, made allegedly on Mr Badar’s orders in 1990. Mr Badar was the federal minister for petroleum and natural resources at the time.

Mr Khan stated that the appointments were made on direct orders by the minister who had referred those appointed. His testimony was still being heard when the defence counsel sought adjournment on account of his engagement before the Lahore High Court. Proceedings were then adjourned.

Mr Badar is accused in this reference of misusing his official position to order the SNGPL managing director, the Sui Southern Gas Company, the Oil and Gas Development Corporation and the Pakistan State Oil to recruit 99, 74, 9 and 23 people, respectively, in violation of rules. He is also accused of issuing directions to the PSO managing director for installation of 61 petrol pumps in violation of rules.

According to the National Accountability Bureau, Mr Badar ordered the SNGPL and the SSGC to issue 11 and 21 liquefied petroleum gas licences, respectively, in lieu of personal favours. Mr Badar was also charged with enlisting without legal authority 97 SNGPL house pipeline contractors. Mr Badar is also accused of failing to exercise his authority as federal minister to stop the award of Rs8 million undue benefit to Messers Amin Brothers Engineering.

Mr Badar says he has already been tried on the charges in 1990 and was acquitted by the court concerned. He says he was implicated maliciously in the present reference. He was unable, however, to produce the judgment before the court when the charges were framed against him.