NAB questions Imran Khan in helicopters misuse case

Pakistan's Prime Minister-to be, Imran Khan on Tuesday appeared before the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) here for an ongoing inquiry against him for allegedly misusing helicopters owned by the provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

Geo News quoted sources as saying that a questionnaire was handed over to the cricketer-turned-politician. The 15 questions pertain to Khan's illegal use of KP government-owned Mi-17 and an Ecureuil helicopters for 74 hours, resulting in the loss of (Pakistani) Rs. 2.1 million to the state exchequer.

On July 18, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman had asked for more time to appear before the NAB, citing unavailibility due to campaigning for general elections. Through his counsel Babar Awan, Khan submitted an application seeking another date to appear before the anti-graft body.

The case against Khan was filed after Geo News, in a report, claimed that the former KP government, headed by PTI's Pervez Khattak, spent a whopping amount on Khan's travel at the government's expense.

Following the news report, NAB chairman Justice (retired) Javed Iqbal, in February, ordered a probe against Khan and Khattak for misusing the government-owned choppers.

Interestingly, just a day ahead of his scheduled appearance before the NAB, Khan drew immense flak for using an extensive motorcade while going for a party's parliamentary meeting on Monday.

Several people, on social media, criticised their leader for not adhering to his vow of austerity and saving money in order to carve 'New Pakistan'.

According to reports, Khan is expected to take oath of the office on August 14. He was officially nominated as PTI's prime ministerial candidate as well as the leader of their parliamentary committee on Monday.

The PTI emerged as the single largest party with 116 seats, in the recently concluded National Assembly elections.

Pakistan went to polls on July 25 after a spate of violence that left hundreds dead. Several political parties, like Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and Pakistan People's Party, have called the elections rigged by the military to pip up Imran Khan.

--ANI