ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday resumed the hearing of the case relating to arrest of former Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) chairman Tauqir Sadiq, DawnNews reported.

A two-judge bench of the apex court comprising Justice Jawwad S Khawaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain was hearing the case.

Sadiq is suspected of causing a loss of Rs83 billion to the national exchequer. He fled abroad after the Supreme Court declared his appointment illegal on Nov 25, 2011, and ordered the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to start an investigation against him.

During today’s hearing, Justice Khawaja said evidence suggests that Sadiq would not be returning to Pakistan.

An officer of the NAB investigating the case said the Interpol was creating hurdles in handing over the former Ogra chief.

The officer added that a Pakistani officer named Javed had been refusing to take calls from the NAB.

Earlier on Tuesday, Sadiq was arrested in Abu Dhabi and the NAB, confirming the arrest, had said the suspect would be brought to Pakistan within two days’ time.

SC orders NAB to file corruption references

Last week, the Supreme Court had ordered the NAB to file within a week two corruption references in the case against Sadiq.

One of the references ordered to be filed points a finger at the prime minister who had allegedly approved Sadiq’s appointment as chairman of the Ogra.

The other is against the officials who are accused of obstructing investigations against Sadiq and facilitating his escape from the country. They include Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Pakistan People’s Party’s senior leader Jehangir Badar who is a close relative of Sadiq.

Prime Minister Ashraf was water and power minister and head of the selection committee which had approved Sadiq’s appointment.