RAWALPINDI, Feb 27 (Online): Judge Nasir Javed Rana of Accountability Court (AC) Islamabad has indicted PTI founder and his wife Bushra Bibi in 190 million pounds financial scandal reference. The accused while pleading not guilty have rejected the charges.
Upon it court has summoned 5 witnesses of NAB on March 6 for regular trial of reference.
Both of the accused , their lawyers Suleman Safdar, Zahir Abbas Chaudhry and Usman Gill and NAB Deputy Prosecutor General (DPG) were present in the court during the hearing of the case.
The court read out charge sheet to the accused.
The court inquired from the accused you are being indicted. You should tell if you are involved in this case or not.
The former chairman PTI replied what I have to do by reading charge sheet as I know what is written therein.
Both the accused pleaded not guilty.
The counsels for the accused while requesting to provide copies of challan again sought 7 days more time.
The court remarked we have already given enough time to you. More time cannot be given.
The counsels for the accused took the plea copies of reference have to be provided 7 days before indictment. Near about 50 documents are such which are not readable despite the fact these documents are of paramount importance with regard to this reference.
The lawyers were of the view we don’t want to raise obstructions in the process of indictment. Therefore, these documents be provided during court’s time. We will come back after 7 days because former chairman PTI has said he wants to run the case speedily. Therefore, we have filed application for providing the documents again.
The lawyers said if the court wants to indict then this thing be also brought on record that about 50 documents are not readable and even then indictment is being made.
NAB DPG requested the court to indict the accused and took the plea all the record will be provided to the lawyers of accused while recording the statements of the witnesses.
The former chairman PTI came to rostrum and said we don’t want delay in this case. NAB was in hurry before May 8 and now we want punishment be expedited.
The court inquired Khan Sahb tell us first if the check up of your teeth has been carried out or not.
Former chairman PTI replied the check up has not been carried out so far. Jail administration had said the doctor will come up on Sunday and now jail administration is saying doctor will come on next Sunday.
The court while accepting plea of PTI founder for provision of general physician and dentist for medical and teeth check up adjourned hearing of the case till March 6. Barrister Umair Niazi spokesperson of former chairman PTI while talking to media men outside jail said PTI will stage peaceful protest on March 2 against polls rigging on the call of PTI founder. The other parties will also participate in protest.
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