LAHORE, June 11: Former Punjab chief minister Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo on Saturday opted for standing trial at a local accountability court on a charges of appropriating the Baitul Maal funds when he was the provincial chief executive in 1994. Headed by judge Shafqaat Ahmad Sajjad, the accountability court adjourned further proceedings in the reference till June 18 when the court would invite arguments from the National Accountability Bureau and the defence if the trial at this stage of the proceedings could be initiated under the NAB law.

However, two co-accused, Malik Haider Usman and S.M. Bashir, who held top political positions in the Manzoor Wattoo-led People’s Democratic Front government of Punjab, opted for a plea bargain which meant that they had shown willingness to pay off the money they had allegedly embezzled.

The court told Mr Wattoo on June 4 that he should either face trail or enter into a plea bargain with the NAB to become eligible for acquittal. The court observed that the petition for acquittal could not otherwise be entertained.

Mr Wattoo had filed the petition in the reference on the plea that he had paid off to the Baitul Maal Rs107,000 for which he was charged with appropriation. He stated that the reference against him and two others was made out under the Ehtesab law of 1997, which did not provide for a plea bargain. The old law envisaged acquittal of the accused upon paying the embezzled amount, he added.

He contended that his trial under the new accountability law and application of its provisions were unlawful.

BADR: PPP Secretary-General Jehangir Badr on Saturday moved a local accountability court to seek permission to go abroad.