ISLAMABAD, June 19: Supreme Court on Thursday issued stay orders in favour of Asif Ali Zardari that a witness Naki Imam Malik could not be re-examined in asset case.

The stay was granted by single bench of Supreme Court Justice Muhammad Nawaz Abbasi during the hearing of the assets case against Asif Ali Zardari here today in his chamber. Justice Muhammad Nawaz Abbasi also ruled that regular hearing of the case would start next month when divisional benches would be constituted by the Chief Justice.

Senior Advocate Abdul Hafeez Pirzada and Senator Advocate Farooq Naik representing Asif Ali Zardari in this case argued that the witness, Naki Imam Malik who has already been cross-examined by NAB could not be re-examined as it could damage the case.

They argued that re-examination of the witness could be under some influence which could go against the petitioner.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) was represented by Jaffar Hashmi, Chaudhry Abdul Sattar and Khawaja Azhar Rashid who argued that there are some more evidences which have to be verified and they need re- examination of the witness.

NAB wanted to re-examine the witness Naki Imam Malik in the assets case against the interned PPP leader Asif Zardari.

Deputy Attorney General Hafiz S.A. Rehman also appeared in the case on behalf of state.—APP