Two witnesses record statements in Toshakhana reference

During the statement, the witness said that Zardari’s monthly salary as president was Rs80,000

ISLAMABAD:

An accountability court recorded statements of more National Accountability Bureau (NAB) witnesses in the Toshakhana reference against former president Asif Ali Zardari and former prime minister Yusuf Raza Gilani on Thursday.

Accountability Judge Asghar Ali presided over the hearing. On the occasion, requests for exemption of the Zardari, Gilani, Abdul Ghani Majeed and Anwar Majeed were submitted in the court, which were granted by the judge.

Deputy Prosecutor General of NAB Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi appeared before the court. First the statement of NAB witness Kaleem Ahmed Shehzad, a section officer in the cabinet division, was recorded.

The witness presented copies of the oaths of Zardari, Gilani and Nawaz Sharif as president and prime ministers, respectively. The court returned the original documents, while the certified copies of the three oaths were made part of the record.

During the statement, the witness said that Zardari’s monthly salary was Rs80,000 out of which Rs7,000 tax was deducted. The witness informed the court that Zardari received a total of Rs5 million, as president including allowances.

Upon completion of the statement, another NAB witness, Muhammad Khalil, recorded his statement. He said that the cabinet division had sought records related to the bullet-proof vehicles of Zardari and Gilani. Between 2013 and 2017, the witness said, he provided records to the investigating officer.

Abbasi told the court that he had said the other day that statements of four witnesses would be recorded. The NAB prosecutor said the defence lawyer, Arshad Tabriz, was frequently raising objections. The court directed the defence counsel to give in writing if there were any objections.

Abbasi requested the court for hearing of the reference on a daily basis. While the defence counsel sought the hearing after winter holidays. Abbasi said that the statements of two witnesses had been recorded but the cross-examination remained. The court adjourned the hearing till December 24.