LAHORE, May 21: An accountability court on Monday acquitted former federal minister Abdul Sattar Vario in a corruption reference. His counsel said the court ordered the release of

Mr Vario, already on bail, as prosecution failed to prove the charges levelled by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Mr Vario was accused of misusing his authority while holding a public office from 1988 to 1996.

The NAB alleged that his assets were disproportionate to known sources of his income.

The NAB alleged he had invested about Rs9.665 million in Unis Pak Rubber Industry, Sialkot, by purchasing shares in his name as well as in the name of his sons Armaghan Subhani, Manzoor Subhani and Amar Sattar in 1996.

It also alleged that he invested Rs7 million in Mispaah International, Sialkot, in 1996 and partnership deed was executed between Kanwar Nasim Khan and his son Manzoor Subhani.

He allegedly purchased 596 kanals and eight marlas agricultural land in Vario village, Sialkot.