KARACHI, July 21: An accountability court issued notice to the prosecution on Thursday on an application filed by Begum Salma Ahmed, seeking her acquittal in a corruption case. The former MNA and the chief of Pakistan Association of Woman Entrepreneurs (PAWE) was arrested on March 7, and her arrest came at the time of the launching of her controversial book, containing certain disclosures about some politicians.

Judge Parkash LaL Ambwani of AC-4 fixed Aug 4 for hearing arguments from the prosecution and defence on an application filed under Section 265-K of the CrPC.

It was alleged that an amenity plot of 603 square yards at Clifton was allotted to the PAWE for construction of a women’s complex in 1994.

The plot was not meant for residential or any other purpose.

Begum Salma Ahmed allegedly proposed setting up of a fashion design technology institute for women in Karachi. The initial estimate was Rs6 million, which was alter increased in the feasibility report to RS13.3 million.

The project was approved by the board of administrators of Export Development Fund at at cost of Rs13.3 million. Begum Ahmed and Export Promotion Bureau entered into an agreement on May 16, 1994.

The former woman MNA allegedly withdrew entire amount from the bank and did not utilize the same on the complex, although it was mentioned in the agreement that the amount released by the EPB would be utilized on the project only.