IHC seeks details of Abbasi’s indictment

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has sought details and objections to the charges framed against former prime minister Shahid Khaqan in the LNG reference in the accountability court by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

A two-member division bench headed by Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani heard the petition of Abbasi. Barrister Zafarullah Khan appeared in the court on behalf of the petitioner. He accused NAB of misconduct and exceeding its authority in the indictment in the reference.

Barrister Khan said that the entire NAB system has deteriorated. Even the accused were not told of the charges against them, while unnecessary items were added to the indictment. He told the court that the charge sheet should be short.

The court asked the lawyer whether he was saying that the indictment by the accountability court was wrong. The judge pointed out that the NAB reference contained thousands of pages the charge sheet comprises 26 paragraphs.

Justice Kayani told the lawyer that it was their government now they could fix the system. The lawyer replied that they wanted the abolition of NAB. Barrister Khan added that the defence did not delay the trial even for a single day.  Further hearing of the case was adjourned till Sept 22.