KARACHI, Feb 13: The accountability court No. 1, headed by Judge Dr. Qamarudin Bohra, dismissed on Wednesday an application for the acquittal of Rauf B. Qadri, a former chief of the Bankers Equity Limited, in a corruption reference.

The reference (No. 30/200) against Mr Qadri pertained to the misappropriation of over Rs287 million.

This is the sixth reference against the former banker, who had earlier been convicted in five references.

The judge fixed Feb 19 for the hearing of the case and ordered the prosecution to produce its witnesses on the next date.

BANDIT SENTENCED: The district and sessions judge, Central, Zafar Ahmed Khan Sherwani, sentenced a robber to a two-year term.

The bandit, Mohammed Yaqoob, had barged into the house of Manzoor Ali on June 8 last year in the limits of Rizvia Society police. He opened fire and injured the inmate when he struggled with the intruder.

The judge also imposed a fine of Rs500 on the convict, who would have to undergo an additional three-month term.

JOBSEEKERS CONVICTED: The federal anti-corruption court, headed by Judge Munir Ahmed Khwaja, sentenced three men to a two-month term for attempting to leave for Saudi Arabia on forged travelling documents. Shahid Hussain, Imran Khan and Mohammed Yousuf were arrested on May 31, 2001 at the airport by the immigration staff of the Federal Investigation Agency.

ACQUITTED: The special anti-narcotics court, headed by Judge Ali Nawaz Pirzada, acquitted on Wednesday two men, prosecuted separately for possessing drugs and narcotics.

Mohammed Rahimuddin was arrested on Jan 29, 2000 near old Sabzi Mandi in the limits of the PIB police. The police claimed the recovery of 6.5 kilograms heroin from the Suzuki Hi-roof (CK-7979) he was travelling in.

Accused Afreen was prosecuted for possessing 125 grams charas. He was arrested on Feb 10, 1998 by the Sharafi Goth police.

The judge exonerated the two accused from the charges as the prosecution could not prove its cases against them.