KARACHI, July 6: The Sindh High Court gave the National Accountability Bureau three months to consider and decide the plea bargain of a bank loan defaulter within three months or contest his petition pending in the court on merit.
The petitioner, Zakaria Ghani of the Zakaria Group of Industries, submitted the court had directed the NAB on June 2 to take a decision on his plea bargain within 10 days. No progress has, however, been made on his plea despite the expiry of the deadline.
NAB deputy prosecutor-general Merajunnabi Ansari submitted that the matters pertaining to plea bargain were decided by the bureau chairman, who was out of the country. He sought more time for consideration of the petitioner's plea.
A division bench, comprising Justices S. Ali Aslam Jaferi and Mohammad Sadiq Leghari, gave the bureau three months more to decide the plea as a last opportunity. In the alternative, the NAB would have the option of contesting the petition on merit.
The petitioner has questioned an accountability reference against him on account of wilful default despite his willingness to repay the amount owed by him. He is accused of taking a loan of over Rs 67 million for the Nouri Textile Mills from the National Bank.
The bank filed a recovery suit following the mills' failure to repay the debt. A banking court decreed the bank's suit but the debtor concern failed to satisfy the decree.
BAIL PLEA: The division bench disposed of as not pressed entrepreneur Sadruddin Gangji's bail plea at his counsel's request. The counsel informed the bench that the trial accountability court, which was not functioning because of the absence of a presiding officer, had resumed working.
The vacancy had been filled and a bail application could be moved before the accountability judge. The accountability court was asked to decide the bail plea within a week. The accused is facing trial for alleged duty evasion on palm oil import from Malayasia.
CONVICT'S TREATMENT: On a convict appellant's petition, the bench asked the Karachi central prison authorities to ensure his treatment, including surgical operation if so advised, in accordance with the prison rules and jail manual.
Mohammad Ashraf was convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment for collecting donations for the banned outfit Khuddamul Islam in a mosque. He was arrested by the Mehmoodabad police while soliciting and collecting donations.
He challenged his conviction and sentence in the high court and also moved an application for an order for his treatment outside the prison. According to a report submitted by the jail authorities in response to a court order, Ashraf is suffering from fistula and had been advised treatment at the Civil Hospital, Karachi. He might have to undergo a surgical operation.
APPEAL ADJOURNED: The same bench adjourned hearing of appealsmoved by Lashkar-i-Jhangvi activists Mohammad Ajmal alias Akram Lahori, Azam and Ata against their conviction and death sentence in the double murder case of Zulfiqar Haider and Anwar Ali. The appellant's counsel sought time and the state counsel had no objection to adjournment. The bench put off the hearing until after the summer vacation.
TREATMENT ORDERED: A division bench of High Court of Sindh, comprising Justice S.Ali Aslam Jaffri and Justice Mohammad Sadiq Leghari, on Tuesday directed jail authorities to arrange for operation and proper medical treatment of a convict/appellant belonging to a banned out fit Khuddam-ul-Islam, adds APP.
The bench was hearing an application filed by Mohammad Ashraf serving a five-year term after he was tried, convicted and sentenced by ATC-V on charge of collecting Jehad fund for Mujahideen under the banner of Khuddam-ul-Islam. The applicant/appellant was booked under section 11-F (2) (6) and 11-G (2) by Mehmoodabad police on in 2003 from Masjid-i-Aqsa.
When the application came up for hearing, Additional Advocate General, Sindh, appearing for the Jail Authorities submitted medical report from the Medical Officer of Central Prison Karachi.
The report said that applicant/appellant is suffering from fistula and general surgeon who examined him on Feb 26 had suggested admission of appellant/applicant at Civil Hospital Karachi for fistulotomy.
The report said that the delay in surgery may complicate the health condition of applicant/appellant. The bench, after perusing the report, directed superintendent of CPK to provide necessary treatment and also operation if so required keeping in view the jail rules and manual.