SHC seeks arguments in assets beyond means case

Local court orders Memon to ensure attendance at next hearing of liquor case

The Sindh High Court sought on Tuesday arguments from the counsel of the accused, Izhar, in an assets beyond means case against the former provincial minister Sharjeel Inam Memon and others.

A two-member bench, comprising Justice KK Agha and Justice Zulfiqar Ali Sangi, was hearing the reference, where the court inquired about the individual details of all the accused in the case.

The court further asked where the accused Sadaf Sharjeel and Zeenat Inam - Memon's wife and mother, respectively - were.

Advocate Raj Wahid maintained that they had not acquired bail and they would be appearing before the court soon.

"The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) should have arrested the accused if they have not acquired bail, as the case is non-bailable," remarked Justice Mazhar, adding that it appeared as if the NAB was not interested in arresting the accused.

The accused's counsel maintained that the NAB chairperson and the accountability court did not issue the arrest warrants.

The court remarked that it wanted to hear the arguments from Memon's counsel first.

The accused's counsels completed their arguments, while the court also sought arguments from the counsel of another accused in the case, Izhar, on Wednesday (today).

The bench also directed the NAB prosecutor and investigation officer to appear before the court with the relevant documents and adjourned the hearing.

Liquor case

Meanwhile, a local court directed Memon to appear before the court under any circumstances at the next hearing of a case pertaining to the possession of liquor.

The South judicial magistrate was hearing the case at the Karachi City Court, where Memon did not appear in the session.

A plea seeking an exemption from the court on Memon's behalf was filed in the court, which was accepted for a day.

The court directed the prosecution to present the witnesses and adjourned the hearing till September 5.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 19^th, 2020.