ISLAMABAD, Jan 9: Former naval chief Admiral (Rtd) Mansurul Haq, involved in a corruption reference, could not be released even on Wednesday as the first instalment of $5 million, which he had to pay to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) under the plea-bargain, could not be transacted from the US.

At the outset of the Wednesday’s proceedings, Admiral Haq sought further time from the accountability court on the grounds that the money had still not been transferred to Pakistan.

Judge Rustum Ali Malik of the accountability court no I adjourned the proceedings till January 26.

Under the plea-bargain, Mr Haq had to deposit $5 million (Rs305 million) as first instalment, out of the total amount of $7.5 million (Rs457.5 million). The rest of the amount had to be paid in easy instalments within three years.

This is the second time that the court’s proceedings had to be deferred on the ground that the money had been received by the NAB.