ISLAMABAD: The federal capital’s accountability court on Wednesday granted former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf permanent exemption from appearance before it in the rental power case, DawnNews reported.

Ashraf’s advocate Farooq H. Naek appeared for the hearing and accountability court judge Muhammad Bashir heard the case.

During today’s hearing, the court completed its cross-examination of government witness Yousuf Joya.

Meanwhile, Naek on behalf of his client said that due to security concerns, the former premier could not appear before the court and requested that he be granted permanent exemption from appearance.

The court subsequently accepted the plea and adjourned the case to March 7.

Speaking to media representatives after the hearing, Naek said although granted permanent exemption by the court, the former prime minister would appear before it whenever pertinent.

Ashraf, a Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) politician who served as premier between June 22, 2012 and March 25, 2013, was accused of receiving kickbacks and commissions from nine rental power project firms for awarding contracts for setting up their projects in 2008 to overcome electricity crisis in the country. He was subsequently indicted in the case, along with six others, by the accountability court in Islamabad on Jan 17.

Moreover, on Feb 4, the court had recorded the statements of four prosecution witnesses, including the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) technical director.