An accountability court in Islamabad on Thursday acquitted top PPP leader and former prime minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and nine others in Sahiwal Rental Power Reference, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Raja Pervaiz Ashraf had filed a petition for acquittal under the NAB Amendment Ordinance 2019 that was introduced by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government.

The court also acquitted former finance minister Shaukat Tareen, former Pepco Managing Director Tahir Basharat Cheema and seven others in the same case.

The Islamabad accountability court reserved its decision after hearing the arguments of the parties.

The accountability court indicted former Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and others in the Sahiwal Rental Power Plant in June 2019.

Meanwhile, On May 13, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had submitted its comments against Raja Pervaiz Ashraf's acquittal plea in the Reshma Rental Power reference in the Accountability Court-II of Islamabad

AC-II Judge Azam Khan heard the bail petition filed by PPP leader in the graft reference.

NAB stated in its reply that it had solid proofs and witnesses of the former prime minister's involvement in the malpractice and prayed the court give it a chance to prove charges.

The court sought arguments from both sides on June 17, and adjourned the case.

It is pertinent to note that NAB had accused PPP leader Raja Pervaiz Ashraf of misusing his powers during his tenure as federal minister for water and power to get approval from the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) for an increase in the down payment to the Rental Power Companies (RPCs) from seven to 14 percent.