ISLAMABAD, (DNA) – The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has summoned prime minister in-waiting Imran Khan in the helicopter misuse case today.

Mr. Khan is currently under probe for allegedly misusing helicopter belonging to the KP government for a total of 74 hours, causing a loss of Rs2.1 million to the national kitty.

Initially Khan was summoned by NAB Khyber Pakhtonkhwa in the case on July 18 but he sought more time due to his busy schedule in the wake of election-related activities. His counsel had assured the NAB that his client would turn up before the accountability watchdog after the elections.

Khan’s counsel Babar Awan in his reply said the PTI chairman welcomed NAB’s move to investigate the case. “Mr. Khan will further empower NAB if he is voted to power in upcoming elections,” added Awan.

The counsel said Mr. Khan was currently busy in election campaigning, hence his appearance before the NAB was a bit difficult. He assured that the PTI chairman would appear before the accountability watchdog on priority right after the elections.

If the NAB finds it feasible, Awan had requested, then August 7 should be fixed as the next date of case hearing.

What PTI says on Imran’s alleged misuse of helicopter

In February this year, the previous Khyber Pakthhunkhwa (KP) government had clarified alleged misuse of its helicopters by PTI chief Imran Khan, stating the government-owned helicopters were never used for his personal or private use.

In a statement, the then PTI-led KP government said Khan accompanying the ministers and advisers used those helicopters for the official tours.

“These helicopters were used on 39 occasions in last four and half years,” the provincial government officials said in the statement on Feb 4, 2018.

The statement shared details of 39 official trips, as it was said, that helicopters were used for around 75 flying hours against fuel charges of approximately Rs2.1 million in last four and half years.

The PTI chief participated in different important functions ranging from groundbreaking/inauguration of Billion Tree Tsunami project, the establishment of universities and other projects, the clarification said.