KARACHI, July 11: The prosecution in a corruption case against the former chief of Pakistan Navy, Mansoorul Haq, and another ex-official of navy closed its side on Friday after the defence counsel completed the cross-examination of the investigation officer.

Judge Parkash Lal Ambwani of the AC-4 fixed July 17 for recording the statements of the accused, after the counsel for Mr Haq, Mr Iqtidar Ali Hashmi, concluded the cross-examination of Assistant Director FIA, Altaf Hussain, who was assigned the investigation by the National Accountability Bureau.

The former naval chief and Commodore (Retd) Mirza Ashfaq Baig have been charged for causing over Rs1.8 billion loss to the national exchequer in the purchase of three vessels for the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation.

Mr Haq allegedly got an approval for the purchase of ships for the PNSC in 1994 from the then government to obtained some personal benefits.

According to the prosecution, Mr Haq hatched a conspiracy alongwith the absconding accused Rear Admiral (Retd) Javed Ali and co-accused Ashfaq Baig for the purchase of the ships on much exorbitant prices, when he was appointed naval chief.

The naval officials were charged that they purchased the ships in violation of the laid down procedure and terms of approval.

The ships were allegedly purchased against the selection criteria of the Board of Directors and without considering their classification record, payment of customs, regulatory and other duties.

The ships were Apolonia, purchased for US$14.82 million and later renamed as Sawat, Ora Bhum for US$15.55 million (Shalamar) and Independent Voyager for Us$16.77 million.

The prosecution, represented by special public prosecutor Sarfraz Ahmed Tanoli, examined 16 prosecution witnesses in the case.