LAHORE, Dec 22: A local accountability court on Saturday sentenced Mian Mohammad Rashid, a former member of the Provincial Assembly, to three years rigorous imprisonment for not appearing before the NAB during investigation of corruption allegations against him.

The court gave its verdict under Section 31-A of Ehtesab Ordinance.

During the hearing of reference, Mian Rashid also failed to appear before the judge who ordered attachment of his properties in Lahore and Narowal. He was required by NAB during investigation of allegations regarding ill-gotten assets. Having found Mian Rashid guilty, the court issued permanent arrest warrants against him.

In a reference against former chairman of the Medical Housing Society Dr Azhar Ata Malik, the court framed charges against the accused and adjourned hearing to Jan 17 for recording prosecution evidence.

Dr Azhar opened society accounts with the Jail Road branch of the United Bank Limited and obtained 40 vehicles under the Yellow Cab Scheme against members’ deposits. Value of cabs at that time stood at Rs 7.746 million. It rose to Rs 11.27 million with the accumulation of mark-up and other charges over the years.

In another reference against former irrigation XEN Tahseen Raza, the court deferred its hearing till Jan 3.

As stated by the prosecution, the NAB at regional level had approved a deal with the accused for repayment of Rs 4.6 million by the accused. Matter has been referred for final decision to the NAB chairman.

Hearing of a reference on Baitul Maal Fund against former chief minister Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo and six others, the court deferred the case till Jan 4 to have a reply from NAB about the accused plea (before the court).

During an earlier hearing, the prosecution had offered reduction in mark-up rate to 15 per cent on the capital amount paid back by the accused.

As submitted by the court, they had already paid back Rs 10.7 million and the NAB demand for another payment of Rs 1.6million was not justified.

Another court which had concluded hearing of a reference against former finance director of the Oil & Gas Development Corporation (OGDC) Ainuddin Siddiqui and two others, deferred its final order till Jan 14. Hearing of reference against PPP leader Jehangir Badr could not be held on Saturday as the prosecutor was busy in other court. The case would now come up for hearing on Jan 5.