Two witnesses record statements in reference against Ishaq Dar

Another witness to depose, submit documents at next hearing on January 30

ISLAMABAD: An accountability court on Wednesday recorded statements of two more witnesses in the reference of assets beyond income against former finance minister Ishaq Dar.

Judge Muhammad Bashir presided over the hearing and ordered a third witness to appear in court with relevant records on January 30.

Only one of Dar's three co-accused— Mansoor Rizvi—was present for the hearing. The National Accountability Bureau's (NAB) prosecutor raised objection over the absence of the two other co-accused, Naeem Mehmood and National Bank of Pakistan's former president Saeed Ahmed.

The defence counsel, however, contended that only one accused was required to attend the hearing, but said the other two would be present at the next.

After recording the statements of two witnesses, the judge adjourned the hearing and ordered the third prosecution witness, Aftab, to be present for the next hearing on January 30.

Witnesses record statements in Ishaq Dar case

At the last case hearing on January 16, the accountability court recorded statements of three witnesses, including a forensic expert who was presented as a witness by NAB.

In his statement, the witness, Muhammad Naseem, said that suspect Saeed Ahmed’s signatures were found to be fake in seven bank accounts. He said the signatures on the bank accounts do not bear any similarity to Ahmed's signature.

Another witness, private bank employee Muhammad Aftab, also recorded his statement and submitted documents related to two of Ahmed's bank accounts.

Ahmed, on the other hand, declared that he had no links with the bank accounts.