Pakistan arrests ex-prime minister on corruption allegations

In this Feb. 26, 2019 file photo, former Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi leaves the Parliament in Islamabad, Pakistan. On Thursday, July 18, 2019, authorities in Pakistan arrested Abbas over alleged irregularities related to the import of natural gas from Qatar. (AP Photo/B.K. Bangash,file)

LAHORE, Pakistan — Authorities in Pakistan arrested a former prime minister Thursday over alleged irregularities related to the import of natural gas from Qatar.

Shahid Khaqan Abbasi served as prime minister for nearly a year after Nawaz Sharif was removed from office in July 2017 for failing to disclose foreign assets. Sharif is serving a seven-year jail term for corruption, and authorities have pursued a number of his allies on corruption allegations.

Lawmaker Ahsan Iqbal said officials from the National Accountability Bureau stopped their vehicle as they were entering Lahore and arrested Abbasi.

Authorities are investigating Abbasi’s role in awarding a contract to a liquefied natural gas company in which he was a shareholder. Abbasi has denied any wrongdoing. /kga