Hearing of plea by Abbasi’s sister adjourned

Defence yet to conclude cross examination of NAB IO in reference against Dar

ISLAMABAD: An Accountability Court (AC) on Wednesday adjourned for a day the hearing on a petition, seeking permission for the legal team to meet former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in Adiala jail for consultation.

Barrister Sadia Abbasi, the sister of former prime minster, moved the petition before AC-I Judge Muhammad Bashir. She said that the court had fixed only 'Friday' for the accused to meet his relatives and legal team.

She stated that some people had come for meeting from Multan and Lahore and that it was difficult for them to meet Abbasi on the fixed day. She prayed the court to fix a separate day for the former prime minister's legal team to meet him in jail for discussion which was a legal right.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB)'s prosecutor adopted the stance that the jail administration had to be asked regarding the matter to which the court adjourned hearing of the case till Thursday.

Abbasi is currently in Adiala Jail on judicial remand in an investigation, pertaining to alleged misuse of his authority in LNG import agreement. Former finance minister Miftah Ismail had also been booked in the same case.

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Separately, Accountability Judge Muhammad Bashir adjourned hearing of a corruption reference against former finance minister Ishaq Dar and others, pertaining to possessing assets beyond known sources of income, till October 9.

On Wednesday, the defence counsel could not conclude the cross-examination of NAB investigation officer Nadir Abbas – the last prosecution witness in the case.

Co-accused Mansoor Raza and Naeem Mehmood appeared before the judge.However, the third accused, former National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) president Saeed Ahmed did not attend the proceeding and submitted exemption request which was accepted by the court.

At the outset of the hearing, Abbas said that he was in contact with the officers concerned to get record of initial inquiry in the same reference in 2007 but he couldn't get the relevant record so far. The court adjourned the hearing without further proceeding.

Former finance minister Ishaq Dar had already been declared a proclaimed offender in this case due to non-appearance. The court had already ordered for the confiscation of his property and bank accounts in Pakistan.