Summary Dr Asim should not be indicted as the reference is bogus, says counsel for the defendant
KARACHI (Dunya News) – Accountability court (AC) has adjourned hearing of case regarding Rs 17 billion embezzlement against former federal petroleum minister Dr Asim Hussain until May 13, Dunya News reported Saturday.
Dr Asim, Yousaf Ansari, Basharat Mirza, Naveed Mukhtar and others accused in the case appeared for the hearing.
Counsel for the defendant maintained that the reference was bogus and Dr Asim should not be indicted. National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) prosecutor said that the defense should approach high court if they were not satisfied with the proceedings.
However, the court stated that prosecution would not discuss during the trial, the documents that were not filed. Judge further directed the accountability bureau to provide counselor today.
Counsel for accused Azhar Siddique requested the court to take into consideration the verdict of Islamabad High Court (IHC). The case was based on lies and dishonesty, he said.
On Friday, Dr Asim was indicted in another corruption reference against him. Case regarding Rs 462 billion corruption was heard by an accountability court which indicted the ex-federal minister.
During the hearing yesterday, Dr Asim among other alleged corrupt officials pleaded not guilty to the accusations. While responding to court’s question, Dr Hussain alleged National Accountability Bureau of submitting fake documents in the case.
The court called witnesses in the next hearing for cross examination on May 14.
While talking to the media before the hearing, Dr Hussain had said that he was a ‘political captive’ of the ruling political party. Different corrupt persons were roaming around freely with security protocols while he was in jail, he said.
He mocked the alleged fake case against him saying that the bureau would also make him face a bogus case for stealing someone’s cattle.
While referring to Panama leaks, he said that a commission was formed to probe corrupt people while he was enduing captivity. He demanded the government to establish a judicial commission to probe embezzlement in funds on his part.
Dr Asim is facing two corruption references and one terror case.
One of the two corruption cases alleges the ex-minister of embezzlement during his tenure in authority at Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) while other of money laundering, granting illegal contracts to companies and selling government’s land.
He was also alleged of facilitating terrorists by providing them shelter in his hospital in Karachi. A terror case was lodged in North Nazimabad Police Station in November last year after 90-day remand of the alleged culprit had expired.
