ISLAMABAD, July 31: An accountability court on Wednesday commenced hearing in a corruption reference against ex-chief minister NWFP, Aftab Sherpao for his alleged involvement in Islamabad New City scam.

This was the same case, which was transferred from the Lahore AC to the Rawalpindi AC after NAB requested the Lahore High Court, Chief Justice to transfer the case since the case, the co-accused and witnesses belong to Islamabad.

Before the Lahore AC the case was being heard by Lahore Ehtesab Bench during Nawaz Sharif’s tenure.

Aftab Sherpao has never appeared before the court. The Lahore AC has already declared co-accused Zahid Shafiq, director National Housing Authority (NHA) as proclaimed offender.

Other co-accused, including ex-deputy speaker National Assembly Haji Nawaz

Khokhar were present in the courtroom.

Judge AC No I adjourned the hearing of the case with an observation that it would be proper to go through the file first.

Aftab Sherpao had left the country after corruption references were filed against him for abusing his official authority. He returned to Pakistan early this year.

Mr Sherpao was declared proclaimed offender for being absconder by the AC in Peshawar and was later convicted to three years rigorous imprisonment under section 31-A of the NAB Ordinance for avoiding court’s proceedings.

The new city project was a joint mega housing project of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and National Housing Authority in Zone-V of the capital. The project was launched in 1996.