November 16, 2002	Saturday	Ramazan 10, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 15: The long judicial battle between showbiz celebrities Zeba Bakhtiar and her former husband Adnan Sami Khan, over the possession of their son, Azaan, is now about to end.

On Friday, the lawyers of the two parties pleaded before the court of district and sessions judge, Chaudhary Asad Raz, that they would be given time as the reconciliation process is going on between the two sides.

They assured the judge that on next hearing they would submit the reconciliation papers (Razi Nama) in the court.

The court set December 3, as next date for hearing of the case.

Zeba Bakhtiar, daughter of the former attorney-general of Pakistan, Yahya Bakhtiar, and Adnan Sami, son of former ambassador, Arshad Sami Khan, had separated on May 29, 1997 and plunged into lengthy judicial fight for the possession of their son, Azaan.

They filed about 10 cases, including for the possession of Azaan, contempt of court, bank locker, against each other in different courts.

After a lapse of five-and-a-half years time they realized that it was all an endless fight so they decided to enter into reconciliation and through their lawyers they sought time from the Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi Bench, and district courts, Islamabad.

Farooq Azam Advocate appeared on behalf of Adnan Sami, while Naheeda Mehboob Ilahi appeared on behalf of Zeba Bakhtiar in the LHC Rawalpindi bench. In the district courts, Islamabad, Muhsin Kiani represented Adnan Sami and Naheeda Mehboob Ilahi represented Zeba Bakhtiar.

Arshad Sami Khan, while talking to the Dawn said: “We want to settle all issues amicably”.

He said, “we are not rigid for the possession of Azaan, if he is happy with his mother [Zeba], there is no harm. But he should be allowed to meet his father [Adnan] too”.