July 17, 2008	Thursday	Rajab 13, 1429

KARACHI, July 16: Special judge of the Federal Anti-corruption and Emigration, Central, Shaukat Ali Memon on Wednesday adjourned till July 24 the hearing of a corruption case against former federal minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and others due to the absence of the prosecutor.

Abbasi, along with his associates, has been charged with causing a loss of over Rs11 million to the national exchequer in a deal pertaining to the purchase of computers for the Pakistan International Airline (PIA) in 1998-99 while he was chairman of the national flag carrier.

Former PIA general manager Syed Nasir Ali and director Luqman Jacki are among the co-accused in the case (FIR No5/99) registered at the FIA Circle police station.

Indictment deferred

The accountability court-I deferred the indictment of deputy inspector-general of police, Altaf Hussain Bhatti, and others till August 2 in a reference pertaining to a land scam since the judge was on a leave.

On December 4, 2007, the National Accountability Bureau arrested the DIG for misusing his authority to acquire more than 500 acres of government land in Thatta district. Later, the DIG was remanded in judicial custody.

The Sindh NAB had filed the reference (No 59/2007).