KARACHI, July 11: The Accountability Court No 5 on Thursday sentenced a former MNA, Hakim Ali Zardari, to five years’ rigorous imprisonment and Rs18.5 million fine in a corruption reference. In default, he will further undergo two years’ imprisonment.

As a member of the National Assembly, the convict had amassed wealth disproportionate to his known source of income.

The judge also held the convict to be disqualified for 10 years from being elected, chosen and nominated as a member or representative of any public body. The convict shall not be allowed to apply for or be granted any loan or financial accommodation by any bank or financial institution controlled by the government.

According to the prosecution, the convict was a member of the National Assembly from Nawabshah in 1988 and 1993.

During investigation, it was established that the convict had acquired a palatial house in France worth Rs10.8 million on April 12, 1990. Acquiring of the said property by the convict was found to be disproportionate to the known source of his income.—PPI