ISLAMABAD, Nov 13: Hearing on the plea-bargain application of former Naval Chief Admiral (Rtd) Mansurul Haq was again deferred since neither the defence counsel was present in the court nor the prosecution received instructions from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) about the request.

Judge Rustum Ali Malik of the accountability court adjourned the proceedings for November 26. The court was scheduled to give its verdict on Tuesday. The prosecution also had to inform about NAB’s point of view on the application of retired Admiral Mansurul Haq.

“It seems that the prosecution is losing interest in the case”, remarked an observer who is regularly following the case.

This is the second adjournment given by the court, as earlier the prosecution had sought time to get instructions from the new NAB chairman on Admiral Haq’s application.

This time the defence requested for the adjournment since Aitzaz Ahsan advocate was not available in the country as he had gone abroad.

In his application, Admiral Mansurul Haq had asked the court to stay the proceedings in the corruption reference, and direct the NAB authorities to release him and make arrangements for receiving full amount of the alleged corruption money.

The court has already indicted Mansurul Haq for receiving kickbacks, commissions and bribe to the tune of $3.369 million from foreign suppliers in defence deals after his similar plea-bargain application was rejected by the former NAB chairman.

The accused had expressed his willingness to pay back the entire amount of $3.369 million provided he was released.

The application was moved under Section 25 of the NAB Ordinance.