*ISLAMABAD – Accountability Court Judge Arshad Malik framed chargesagainst former federal minister Babar Awan, former prime minister RajaPervaiz Ashraf and other accused in the Nandipur power project case onMonday.*
However, all accused pleaded not guilty. The court has summoned witnesseson March 19.
The judge remarked that he wants to dispose the reference at the earliest.
Meanwhile, the court has decided to try the case on daily basis.
The Nandipur reference was filed against seven politicians and governmentofficials in September last year.
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The accused include ex-PM Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Babar Awan, former lawsecretaries Muhammad Masood Chishti and Justice (retd) Riaz Kiyani,ex-research consultant for the law ministry Shamila Mahmood, ex-seniorjoint secretary of the law ministry Dr Riaz Mahmood and ex-secretary of theWater and Power Ministry Shahid Rafi.
In the reference, NAB contended that the project located in Gujranwala hadbeen delayed for two years, one month and 15 days, causing a loss of Rs27.3billion to the national exchequer.
It maintained that the project was not completed on time because theaccused failed to issue their legal opinions.
