ISLAMABAD: The accountability court of Islamabad on Wednesday reserved verdict on an application filed by former president Asif Ali Zardari seeking acquittal in SGS-Cotecna reference.

The court will pass its judgment on November 24.

The accountability court was hearing two acquittal applications of the former president in which he claimed that evidence available against him was not genuine as instead of original documents the prosecution record consisted of photocopies.

Farooq H. Naek, the counsel for Mr Zardari, argued before the court that since the original record in the corruption reference did not exist, his client, Asif Ali Zardari, might be absolved of the charges before completion of trial proceedings.

SGS-Cotecna reference pertains to the award of pre-shipment contracts in which the accused had allegedly received six per cent kickback.

Arguing before the court, Additional Deputy Prosecutor General (ADPG), NAB, Chaudhry Riaz said the bureau had submitted the relevant record before the court. He said the original record went missing from the custody of the Ehtesab bench.

On Wednesday, Mr Riaz answered some queries the court raised regarding the evidence which National Accountability Bureau (NAB) produced against Mr Zardari.

Mr Riaz said NAB had also produced witnesses to authenticate the evidence and it was up to the court to decide the fate of these documents.

Published in Dawn, November 12th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play