Islamabad: Two former prime ministers of Pakistan, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday appeared before the top anti-graft body of the country, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and were questioned by the NAB authorities.

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Yousuf Raza Gilani was summoned to the NAB’s former headquarters in Rawalpindi and was asked questioned about money laundering and fake accounts.

His party leadership including Chairman of PPP, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, co-chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari and Faryal Talpur are also being questioned by the NAB in these cases.

Earlier this case was taken up by the NAB Karachi office but later it was transferred to Islamabad and it was Gilani’s first appearance before NAB authorities in the twin cities.

Later talking to media persons outside the NAB office, Gilani said he was provided a questionnaire like school boys and asked to give replies which he would submit in due course of time.

Pakistan People’s Party he said believed in democracy and rule of law and respected courts of law. To a question, he said Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was a ray of hope for the country.

Abbasi also appeared before NAB in alleged corruption in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) contract, purchase of bullet proof vehicles Saarc conference and illegal appointment of Chairman OGRA case.

Abbasi, who also remained petroleum minister, appeared before NAB’s Combined Investigation Team (CIT) that is investigating into LNG contract award, purchase of bullet proof vehicles for South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) conference and illegal appointment of Chairman Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) cases.

The NAB on January 2 had converted an inquiry into investigation against Abbasi for alleged misuse of powers with respect to the LNG terminal project.

The Bureau, in an executive meeting early in January presided over by its chairman Justice (Retd) Javed Iqbal had given a go ahead to launch an investigation against Abbasi who served as former petroleum minister, Arshad Mirza, former secretary petroleum, Shaikh Imran-ul-Haq, former managing director Pakistan State Oil (PSO), and other officials.

The Supreme Court on September 10, 2018 had directed the NAB to complete inquiry into the matter and submit its report.

In February this year, the Supreme Court fixed a plea filed by President Awami Muslim League (AML) and MNA Shaikh Rashid Ahmed, seeking disqualification of Abbasi over alleged corruption in award of LNG import contract.