LAHORE, Jan 5: An accountability court on Saturday extended till Jan 15 judicial remand of former federal minister Makhdoom Javaid Hashmi, who is facing a reference for alleged misuse of his public office.

NAB counsel pressing his plea before the court for a further remand of the accused submitted that investigation in the reference is still in progress as statements from some witnesses are yet to be recorded. Javaid Hashmi, who is also holding as acting PML(N) president stated before the court that he was being victimized only for political reasons. The hearing of a reference against another federal minister and PPP secretary-general Jehangir Badar had to be adjourned till Jan 19 as the defence counsel was not present in the court.

On this occasion, several leaders and workers from both parties, PPP and PML(N), had gathered outside the court to greet their respective leaders. PPP workers had brought ceremonial cakes to observe 74th birthday of founder-chairman of their party, late Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. — Reporter