Pakistan
AC adjourns hearing of Imran, Bushra in £190m reference till Sep 12
Judge Nasir Javed Rana heard the case in Adiala Jail
Islamabad: An accountability court (AC) in the federal capital adjourned the hearing of PTI founder Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in a £190 million reference case till September 12.
The counsels representing the couple, Usman Gul and Zaheer Abbas Chaudhry could not appear in Adiala Jail due to engagements in the Lahore High Court (LHC).
Due to the non-availability of lawyers, the last reference witness, Mian Umar Nadeem could not be cross-examined. Arguments could not be given even on the plea of acquittal of the founder PTI.
Assistant lawyer Faisal Chaudhry pleaded to postpone the hearing, while the NAB prosecution team opposed the request to postpone the hearing.
The NAB prosecutor said that the lawyers of the PTI founder and Bushra Bibi were using delaying tactics as 16 opportunities had been given to defence lawyers to cross-examine the last witness of the reference and 12 letters of attorney had been submitted on behalf of defence lawyers in this reference.
He further pleaded that Barrister Ali Zafar and Faisal Chaudhry were present to cross-examine the last witness. To which lawyer Faisal Chaudhary requested the court to allow one opportunity in the next hearing if the primary counsel didn't come, then they would cross-examine.
The court then adjourned the hearing till September 12.