Hearing of Narowal Sports City case put off till Sept 22

Reference against Ahsan Iqbal could not be filed

ISLAMABAD:

An accountability court on Wednesday adjourned the hearing of Narowal Sports City case against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ahsan Iqbal without any proceedings as a reference against the former federal minister could not be filed.

The hearing of the case was conducted by AC Judge Muhammad Bashir.

As Iqbal appeared before the court, his counsel Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri stated that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had arrested his client but could not file a reference.

On being inquired when the reference would be filed, the investigation officer said that as soon as it is approved by the NAB headquarters, the court will be informed.

The PML-N leader’s lawyer said that Iqbal was sent to jail and then his physical remand was given, but the NAB chairman, despite the court orders, could not give any reason for not filing the reference.

“NAB only arrests people. The sword is hanging. It should not be like that,” the counsel said.

On the occasion, Iqbal’s counsel presented before the judge the NAB chairman’s statement published in newspapers, which was made part of court record.

The lawyer said that the top graft-buster’s chief was of the view that the cases faced delay because of the courts.

He said the courts were subjected to criticism in media talk shows after this sort of statements were made.

“The fact is that NAB itself is responsible for the delay, which takes years to file a reference,” he said.

The judge observed that they would make this statement a part of the court record.

The court allowed the accused to attend the hearing of the case at will until the filing of the reference and adjourned the proceedings till September 22.