By Imtiaz Husain Abro.

RAWALPINDI: An anti-corruption court granted ex-Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry bail on Monday in a fraud case. Court grants Fawad bail in fraud case: Special Judge Ali Nawaz, presiding over the hearing, issued an order for the former federal minister to submit a surety bond of Rs200,000 for his release. The judge stated that the former federal minister could be released if he was not wanted in any other case. However, Fawad will not be able to obtain his release as he is currently detained in another case under the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

The Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) in Rawalpindi registered a case against Fawad, his cousin, and frontman Sherbaz, along with others. The case revolves around allegations of accepting millions of rupees in bribes and abusing authority in relation to the issuance of a no-objection certificate (NOC) and acquisition of public land for a private housing society in the Dina area of GT Road. The First Information Report (FIR) highlights Sherbaz as a prominent figure involved in corruption and illegal activities.

According to the FIR, Sherbaz entered into an agreement with Pearl Global Housing Society at GT Road, Dina, Jehlum, and accepted bribes amounting to millions of rupees while assuming control over all housing society operations, including the NOC and land clearance.

ACE Rawalpindi initiated an investigation into the matter in April 2023. As a result of the probe, evidence emerged regarding the alleged abuse of power by Sherbaz and Fawad, as well as the receipt of over Rs10 million from the housing society administration. Based on the recommendations of the inquiry officer, a case was registered, leading to Fawad’s arrest by an ACE team on November 4.