Former Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf has been discharged from several National Accountability Bureau (NAB) references related to the rental projects.

The Responsibility Court in Islamabad, led by Judge Ali Warraich, announced the decision on Tuesday and cleared Ashraf and several others from cases linked to Sharaqpur, Bhakki and Karkey projects.

The Karkey reference had alleged corruption worth RS22 billion, while the Turkish company Karkey Karadeniz Elektrik Uretim (KKKU) had also filed a claim for RS200 billion compensation.

The claim was later loosened on after the intervention of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

In the Sheikhupura reference regarding the Bhakki Power Project, valued for RS96 billion, the court derived the former WAPDA chairman and six others. Those named in the Sharaqpur stream reference were also cleared.

This is not the first time Ashraf has been released in rental housing. By 2020 he was acquitted in Pira Ghaib Rental Power Plant Reference.

The rental projects were initiated under the PPP government in 2008-09 to tackle the electricity deficit. However, several companies, including carkey, could fulfill delivery obligations.

Karkey’s contract worth $ 564.6 million, demanded delivery of 231 megawatts to Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO), but the project underprested, which incurs significant costs for Pakistan.

After disputes, Karkey arbitration of the International Center for Settlement of Investment disputes (ICSID), which led to a price against Pakistan.

The possible waiver of the penalty followed diplomatic negotiations between Pakistan and Turkey.