AC summons 3 witnesses in Toshakhana reference today
Former president Asif Ali Zardari. PHOTO: EXPRESS
An Accountability Court (AC) on Wednesday summoned three witnesses for testimony on December 17 (today) in Toshakhana (gift depository) reference against former president Asif Ali Zardari and former premier Yousaf Raza Gilani.
The AC also granted time to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to file reply against the confiscation of assets of former premier Nawaz Sharif in the Toshakhana reference until January 13.
Earlier, Maryam Nawaz had submitted a request in the court stating that the properties in Murree and Changla Gali were in the name of her mother Kulsoom Nawaz and not father.
Another AC judge adjourned the hearing on Park Lane and Thatta Water Supply references against Zardari and others until December 21.
On Wednesday, AC-III Judge Syed Asghar Ali conducted hearing on the graft reference filed by NAB pertaining to illegal use of Toshakhana's vehicles.
At the outset of the proceedings, Zardari's lawyer Farook Naek prayed the court to adjourn the hearing of the case until next week, saying he was appearing in Supreme Court on a daily basis to which the judge asked him to appear after 1pm on the day to plead the case.
NAB prosecutor requested the court to record the statement of other witnesses if the defence lawyer was not conducting cross-examination.
Naek prayed the court to adjourn the case until January 7, adding that he would conduct cross-examination on three witnesses together on January 7 and 8.
The court, however, summoned three witnesses Kaleem Shahzad, Muhammad Khalil and Muhammad Nasir Khan on Thursday (today) for testimony and adjourned the case.
The same court also conducted hearing on reference pertaining to alleged embezzlement in the funds allocated for sugarcane growers.
The anti-graft watchdog prosecutor submitted the report regarding confiscation of property owned by four absconders in the case.
The NAB told the court that accused Nihal Anwar had passed away and presented his death certificate to the judge.
The court directed all other accused to ensure their attendance on January 7 and adjourned the case.
Meanwhile, another AC judge adjourned the hearing on Park Lane and Thatta Water Supply references against Zardari and others until December 21.
AC-II Judge Muhammad Azam Khan conducted hearing on graft references filed by NAB in connection with the fake accounts scam.
Naek and NAB prosecutor Irfan Bhola appeared before the court.
Naek requested the court to adjourn the case for a week due to his engagements in the Supreme Court and maintained that he would be able to appear on a daily basis from next week as the top court and Islamabad High Court would be observing vacations.
The lawyer said he would cross-examine the two NAB witnesses together.
The court marked the attendance of the co-accused in the case and granted one day exemption from hearing to Zardari.
The court adjourned the hearing of Park Lane and Thatta Water Supply cases until December 21.
With input from APP