LAHORE, Nov 23: The District and Sessions Judge of Lahore sentenced on Saturday an Indian national to five years rigorous imprisonment with Rs50,000 fine for drug trafficking.

Zahir Shah, a resident of New Delhi, visited Pakistan in 1998 to meet his relatives. On a tip-off, he was arrested by the authorities concerned on arrival at Wagah with seven kilogrammes of heroin.

The judge commuted the sentence of Zahir Shah after he made a judicial confession. In case of non-payment of fine, he would have to undergo further imprisonment of 15 months.

ZARDARI CASE: The hearing of a drug trafficking case registered against former senator Asif Ali Zardari was put off till Nov 30 by the District and Sessions Judge on Saturday.

The trial of Mr Zardari is being held in the Kot Lakhpat Jail owing to security reasons. The judge issued adjournment orders from his chamber in the sessions court when the police informed him that Mr Zardari was not being brought to Lahore for the hearing of this case.

The prosecutor was informed that no proceedings would be held on Saturday. The court was to hear arguments on the application for pre-mature acquittal of Mr Zardari.

In this case, Asif Zardari has been charged with patronizing co-accused Shohrang Khan and Arif Baloch in drug trafficking.

Seven prosecution witnesses have deposed against Asif Zardari so far.

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