LAHORE, Nov 12: A district and sessions judge on Saturday issued warrants for arrest of Asif Ali Zardari because of his absence. The court, which is trying him in a narcotics case, directed him to appear on Dec 13 to explain the reason of his absence during the trial for several months.

His counsel Mian Jahangir was not present in the court when his warrants for arrest were issued.

The court last month accepted a medical certificate submitted by the counsel who stated that his client was indisposed of and was out of the country. But the court directed him that Zardari should appear on the next date of hearing.

Mian Jahangir told Dawn that he reached the court a little late because of his illness. He also had a new medical certificate which he wanted to submit before the court to seek his exemption from personal appearance on medical grounds.

He said when he reached the court the warrants for Mr Zardari’s arrest had already been issued.

Mr Zardari’s co-accused Arif Baloch was present in the court. Another co-accused, Shorang Khan has died of cancer.

The drug trafficking case was instituted against him on Arif Baloch’s statement who was arrested in 1997 after the fall of the Benazir government. However, the prosecution has not so far been able to give evidence of the recovery of any drugs to substantiate the charge.