By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan

Pakistan's anti-corruption authority approved an inquiry against two former premiers Nawaz Sharif and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi over the alleged misuse of power during their recently-ended five-year term, local media reported Wednesday.

The probe by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) comes in the wake of general elections scheduled for July 25.

During a meeting by the authority, NAB Chairman retired Justice Javed Iqbal ordered the inquiry over a 15-year contract of liquid natural gas (LNG) granted to a company against the rules, causing massive losses to the country's exchequer, broadcaster Geo News reported.

Abbasi served as petroleum minister before assuming the charge as premier after Sharif was ousted by the Supreme Court for misdeclaring assets.

The top court had earlier dismissed a petition against Abbasi in the case filed by opposition Awami Muslim League (AML) party chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed.

Sharif is facing several corruption cases in the accountability court.

The apex court had ordered NAB to open several cases against him and his family after ruling that Sharif had acted in an untrustworthy manner by failing to declare a salary from his son’s Dubai based company ahead of the 2013 election.

Sharif, who has held the premiership thrice but never completed a full term, rejected all allegations and cases against him and termed it political victimization.