PESHAWAR, Jan 31: An accountability appellate bench of the Peshawar High Court on Thursday reserved its verdict in an appeal filed by former NWFP Minister for Irrigation Ghaniur Rehman, challenging his conviction by the accountability court.

The bench, comprising Justice Khalida Rachied and Justice Shehzad Akber Khan, also reserved judgments in three petitions filed by relatives of Mr Rehman, whose properties were also forfeited by the accountability court.

The bench heard arguments by Barrister Jehanzeb Raheem, representing the appellant and petitioners, and deputy prosecutor general of National Accountability Bureau, Mian Fasihul Mulk. The appellant was sentenced to eight years’ rigorous imprisonment along with a fine and confiscation of his properties.

The appellant has claimed that the accountability court had overlooked various important points while deciding the reference against him. He stated that the witnesses had given conflicting evidence, which went in favour of the appellant. He stated that the evidence brought on record proved that the assets possessed by him were made through legal means.

Mr Rehman twice served as provincial minister for irrigation.