HYDERABAD: Accountability court Judge Inam Ali Kalhoro on Thursday framed charges against former Pakistan Peoples Party minister Jam Khan Shoro, his brother and former municipal committee chairman Kashif Shoro and 16 others in a Rs5.02 billion corruption reference filed by National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

The accused denied the charges.

The reference said the accused, in connivance with each other and by misusing authority, usurped precious government land admeasuring 20-13 acres worth Rs5.02bn in Qasimabad taluka. The land was reserved for headworks of irrigation department, said NAB.

Hyderabad Development Authority officer Shahid Pervez Memon, Bachal Rahupoto and others were also among the accused. Jam Khan was being represented by Sarmad Hani advocate while Riazat Ali Sehar and Ishrat Ali Lohar advocates were appearing for other accused.

NAB had started the inquiry in June 2019 against the MPA and others. The court has issued notices to witnesses directing them to appear before it on April 20 when it would take up the matter.

Published in Dawn, April 10th, 2021