Tosha Khana reference: Nawaz files acquittal plea

Islamabad: Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Tuesday filed an acquittal petition in the Accountability Court Islamabad on the reference of Tosha Khana vehicles.

Tosha Khana vehicle reference against President Asif Ali Zardari, former Prime Ministers Mian Nawaz Sharif and Yusuf Raza Gilani were heard in the Accountability Court Islamabad. Javed Rana heard the case. Advocate Arshad Tabraiz appeared in court on behalf of Zardari.

On behalf of former Prime Minister Nawaz, his pleader Rana Muhammad Irfan appeared in the court who filed an acquittal application in the Tosha Khana vehicle reference.

Judge Nasir Javed remarked that notices are issued to the parties on the plea of acquittal, on which the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutor said that he will send the petition for acquittal to the NAB headquarters, requesting a short notice.

The accountability court has called arguments on Nawaz Sharif's acquittal plea on May 23.

During the hearing, a request for exemption from attendance was filed by former Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani which was accepted by the court.

Lawyer Arshad Tabraiz told the court that President Asif Ali has presidential immunity and the case cannot proceed to his extent, to which the NAB prosecutor said that the request regarding presidential immunity has been received and is being reviewed.

The accountability court adjourned the hearing on the reference related to Tosha Khana vehicles till June 3.

It is pertinent to note that on April 17, the NAB gave a clean chit to former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the reference related to Tosha Khana's vehicles and submitted a report in the court which stated that the court has the power to acquit Nawaz Sharif from the case.