ISLAMABAD: An accountability court in Islamabad has acquitted Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and all other accused in Nooriabad Power Project reference after accepting National Accountability Bureau Chairman’s request to withdraw case.

Judge Nasir Javed Rana presided over hearing of reference, which named Murad Ali Shah and others. Defence counsel, Barrister Qasim Nawaz Abbasi, appeared before court. After reviewing request to withdraw reference, court granted it, leading to acquittal of all accused. Decision came after Supreme Court last month overturned previous ruling that nullified amendments to National Accountability Bureau laws.

Reference accused Shah of abusing his authority and violating rules by releasing funds for Nooriabad Power Plant, alleging that billions of rupees were embezzled in both Nooriabad Power Company and Sindh Transmission and Dispatch Company projects. Nooriabad Power Project was initially proposed by Sindh government in 2012 but was delayed due to bureaucratic hurdles and regulatory issues. Launched in August 2014 under public-private partnership, costing Rs 13 billion, Sindh government owned 49 percent of shares, with private firm holding remaining 51 percent.