Reference against Dar: Court records statement of two NAB witnesses

Issues NAB final notice to submit a reply to plea of Ishaq Dar’s wife

ISLAMABAD: An Accountability Court on Wednesday recorded statement of two witnesses including a deputy director of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in a supplementary reference against former finance minister Ishaq Dar pertaining to assets beyond known sources of income.

However, the court also gave a final notice to NAB to submit its reply on the petition of Dar's wife challenging auction of her property. The Accountability Court Judge Muhammad Bashir resumed hearing on the reference against Ishaq Dar and other co-accused in compliance with the apex court orders.     ]

The co-accused including the National Bank of Pakistan (NPB) former president Saeed Ahmed, Naeem Mehmood and Mansoor Rizvi also appeared before the court. During the hearing, NAB Deputy Director Iqbal Hassan and local bank Manager Naeemullah recorded their statements before the trial court.

NAB told the court that it was preparing the reply to the petition filed by Dar's wife Tabassum Dar challenging the auction of her property situated in Gulberg area of Lahore.

The petitioner said the said property could not be auctioned as it was not owned by her husband, adding that she was the real owner of the property being auctioned by NAB. The court gave final notice to NAB to submit a reply in the case and adjourned hearing till December 5.

The court also summoned a prosecution witness Muhammad Aftab – operation manager at a private bank – to appear at the next hearing.  The judge also summoned another prosecution witness, forensic expert Muhammad Naseem, on the request of Saeed Ahmed’s counsel.

[WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP]