Assets reference: Dar granted exemption as he skips hearing over medical reasons
The case is being heard by judge Muhammad Bashir in an accountability court.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has on Thursday once again skipped the hearing of assets beyond means reference that has been filed against him by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), and his fresh medical report is submitted in the accountability court.
The case is being heard by judge Muhammad Bashir, and four NAB witnesses including Abdur Rehman Gondal, Masood Ghani, Faisal Shahzad and Mohammad Azeem have appeared before the court. Dar’s counsel will cross-examine two of them, and two will record their statements today.
The court inquired about Ishaq Dar from his guarantor Ahmed Ali Quddusi, who is present in the court. Quddusi told the court that Dar is in London for medical treatment. The court then directed him to submit a written statement.
On the other hand, NAB prosecutor asked the court to issue non-bailable arrest warrants against the finance minister and reject his medical certificate. NAB prosecutor gave the argument that Mufti Abdul Qavi’s angiography was performed in Pakistan, and Dar can also undergo angiography here.
The medical report states that there is stress on Ishaq Dar’s chest and his angiography will be done in London tomorrow. It has further been mentioned in the report that Dar cannot even walk for three to four minutes.
The court then granted finance minister exemption from today’s hearing on the request of his junior counsel. The prosecutor raised objection on the decision but it was overruled. The accountability court also rejected NAB prosecutor’s plea and decided to keep Dar’s arrest warrants bailable.
Furthermore, the NAB has made important development in Ishaq Dar’s graft reference as National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) President Saeed Ahmed has agreed to become approver against Dar.
Saeed Ahmed has alleged that Ishaq Dar’s company opened five foreign currency accounts in different banks of Lahore on his name with the help of stolen identity card and forged signatures.
NBP president said he was completely unaware of these accounts. The authorities have, therefore, decided to conduct forensic tests of account opening forms.
It is worth mentioning here that the accountability court had issued bailable arrest warrants against Dar for not appearing before it during the previous hearing.
Judge Muhammad Bashir’s court had also rejected the plea of Dar’s lawyer to grant his client exemption from hearing, and directed the finance minister to ensure his presence on November 2.
The court had also issued notice to Ishaq Dar’s guarantor and announced that the submitted surety bonds worth five million rupees by the minister will be confiscated if he fails to appear on Thursday (today).
The finance minister’s counsel Khawaja Haris had told the court that his client left for London on emergency basis as he was not feeling well, and had requested the court to give him immunity from hearing. He also submitted Dar’s medical report in the court.
NAB prosecutor raised objection and said it was shown on the television that Ishaq Dar went to London following disqualified prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Shehbaz Sharif. Let it be known that Nawaz Sharif has come back to Pakistan today.
