PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal arrested by NAB in sports complex corruption case.

Byline: Inamullah Khattak

Senior PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal was arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Monday from the anti-corruption watchdog's Rawalpindi chapter's office where he had appeared to record his statement in the case regarding alleged corruption in Narowal Sports City (NSC) Project.

NAB confirmed the arrest in a statement, adding that a team of doctors had been called for the PML-N MNA's medical assessment. Iqbal will be produced before an accountability court tomorrow, where NAB will ask for his physical remand.

Iqbal is accused of using funds of the federal government and the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) for a sports city being established in Narowal - a multi-billion-rupee project.

The PML-N secretary general had earlier said he had submitted documents related to his income and expenditures to NAB Rawalpindi. The opposition leader had already replied to a questionnaire given to him by the bureau in connection with the same case.

Speaking to the media before heading to NAB, Iqbal earlier today said that when the PML-N came to power in 2013, he, as planning minister, had taken up several projects that were incomplete and NSC was one of them. He said that the funds spent on the project were approved by the cabinet, parliament and the National Economic Council.

He explained that the amount of money spent on NSC had exceeded its original cost because when the project was taken up again, the plan was revised and the project was expanded.

Yesterday, he had said that before the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) came to power, the project of NSC was 90 per cent complete, but the present government had turned it into ruins.

He said that AstroTurf (artificial grass) was imported for the ground in the sports city. It was to be laid within six months.

'The present government stalled the project and did not place AstroTurf. As a result, the artificial grass has become useless.'

PML-N lashes out at NAB, govt

PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif condemned Iqbal's arrest and termed it as "proof of NAB-Niazi nexus".

"The arrest of a man who strengthened Pak-China friendship and CPEC is condemnable and regrettable," he said in a statement.

"The arrest of Ahsan Iqbal for completing an incomplete project, which should have earned him praise, is the worst example of political revenge.

"We will continue to unveil the government's anti-CPEC, anti-Pakistan and anti-public policies."

Following his arrest, party spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb...