Reference against Benazir

Published August 1, 2004

KARACHI, July 31: An accountability court in Karachi on Saturday adjourned hearing of an application challenging the framing of charges in a corruption reference against former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and others in respect of illegal recruitment in PIA.

Defence counsel Sarfaraz Tanoli, who is appearing on behalf of AVM Umer Farooq concluded his arguments.

He contended that charges by the prosecution under NAB Ordinance have not been made out against his client. He said that the accused cannot be tried by court under these charges.

The court, headed by Judge Parkash Lal Ambwani, fixed Aug 12, for hearing the arguments of Benazir's counsel Abdul Hafeez Lakho. Special Prosecutor Nasir Hussain Jaffery appeared for NAB.

The reference was filed against Benazir Bhutto and others in May 1997 for illegal recruitment in PIAC during her government.-PPI

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