LAHORE, Aug 3: The Lahore district and sessions judge, Rana Zahid Mahmood on Saturday adjourned for Aug 24 the hearing of a drug case against former federal minister Asif Ali Zardari.

The defence counsel, Farooq Naik had moved an application against the admissibility of witness Mushtaq Malik alias Aqai Black Prince. Mr Naik was assisted by advocates Jehangir and Abubakar Zardari.

The special prosecutor, Iqbal Bhatti, opposed the plea objecting that the defence had not opposed the witness when he recorded his statement. The court adjourned the hearing without a ruling on the application.

Mr Malik was produced before the court in the custody of Anti-Narcotics Force.

Mr Zardari and co-accused Shorang Khan and Arif Baloch were also present in the court.

Pakistan People’s Party’s Punjab president Qasim Zia, as well as district presidents for Lahore and Faisalabad met Mr Zardari with the court’s permission. —APP