LAHORE: An accountability court on Monday extended judicial remand of Jang group editor-in-chief Mir Shakilur Rehman in a 34-year-old case of 54-kanal land allegedly allotted to him by then Punjab chief minister Nawaz Sharif.

However, the jail officials did not produce the suspect before the court under precautionary measures taken in view of Covid-19 pandemic.

A NAB prosecutor told the court that proceedings of the cases awaiting commencement of trials could be postponed under the pandemic-related guidelines issued by the government.

Presiding Judge Jawadul Hassan adjourned hearing till June 15.

The NAB alleged that Shakilur Rehman illegally obtained exemption of 54 plots each measuring one-kanal situated in Block-H, Johar Town. It said the allotment of the land had been in connivance with then chief minister Nawaz Sharif against the exemption policy and the laws for monitory gains.

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2020