LAHORE, Feb 27: The district and sessions judge on Wednesday again issued non-bailable arrest warrants for a disqualified MPA, Amina Buttar, for March 5 and turned down a request to withdraw the warrants.

The counsel told the judge that Ms Buttar was not in the country and the instant proceedings were initiated in her absence. He sought time for filing power of attorney on behalf of Ms Buttar.

However, the judge observed that in the proceedings of cases of criminal nature the accused was bound to appear in person.

D&SJ Nazir Ahmad Gajana was hearing a petition of the Election Commission for the recovery of perks and privileges from disqualified parliamentarians.

Amina Buttar was disqualified for being a dual national.

In a similar case of disqualified MNA Shahnaz Sheikh, the judge summoned prosecution witnesses on the next hearing to record their statements while the case of former MPA Rana Asif was put off till March 2 to frame charges.

Both Ms Sheikh and Mr Asif suffered disqualification for having dual nationality.

The ECP pleaded that these parliamentarians defrauded the people of Pakistan and also deceived the Election Commission by concealing their pre-election disqualification on account of dual nationality.

It said the perks and privileges enjoyed by these former parliamentarians should be recovered.