Indictment delayed due to judge’s absence

Court adjourns the hearing till November 23

KARACHI: At the recent hearing of the reference filed against the illegal appointments in Sindh Small Industries Corporation on Saturday, an accountability court couldn't indict the accused due to the absence of the honourable judge.

During the hearing, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan leader Rauf Siddiqui and other accused appeared before the court. The court adjourned the hearing till November 23.

ATC acquits second suspect of Maulana Azam Tariq murder case

According to the National Accountability Bureau, Siddiqui and other accused were involved in making illegal appoints in Sindh Small Industries Corporation from 2008 to 2014, which caused a loss to the finance department.

Corruption reference    

Meanwhile, another accountability court adjourned the hearing of the Rs17 billion corruption reference against Dr Asim Siddiqui and others, after jail officials again failed to produce one of the accused, Iqbal Z Ahmed, before the court.

A report submitted by Adiala jail officials justifies the accused's absence on account of ill health. Due to Ahmed's absence, the court adjourned the hearing till November 23.

SC accepts transfer plea in barrister’s murder case

According to the National Accountability Bureau, the accused are involved in embezzling Rs17 billion by fraudulently allowing the JJVL to process gas at Badin, Bobi, Sinjhoro, Naimat Basal and Kunar Pasakhi deep gas fields, without conducting an open auction, signing agreements and memorandums of understanding as required by the law.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 10^th, 2019.