Witnesses summoned in corruption reference against Sharjeel Memon

Assets beyond means hearing against assembly speaker adjourned without proceedings

KARACHI: An accountability court directed on Saturday the investigation officer (IO) to present the witnesses in court under any circumstances at the next hearing of the corruption reference against former provincial minister Sharjeel Inam Memon and others.

Memon and others accused of corruption worth Rs5.56 billion appeared before the court.

The court inquired from the IO why the witness was not presented and directed him to present the witness at the next hearing.

The court adjourned the hearing until June 17.

Without proceedings

Separately, an accountability court adjourned the hearing of an assets beyond means case against Sindh Assembly speaker Agha Siraj Durrani without carrying out any proceedings, due to the judge being on leave.

Durrani and others accused in the case, including his wife and children, appeared before the court.

The court adjourned the hearing until June 17.

Awaiting indictment

Meanwhile, another accountability court adjourned the hearing of a reference pertaining to illegal appointments in the Sindh Small Industries Corporation (SSIC) due to the absence of an accused.

The court was to issue an indictment to the accused in Saturday's hearing, but was unable to do so due to his absence.

It adjourned the hearing until June 12.

According to the National Accountability Bureau, Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Rauf Siddiqui and others had allegedly made illegal appointments in the SSIC between 2008 and 2014, causing losses to the finance department. 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 31^st, 2020.