LAHORE, Nov 16: An accountability court on Friday ordered property attachment of former MPA Mian Rashid and initiated proceedings to try him in absentia.

An ex-member of the AJK Legislative Assembly and Punjab, Rashid is wanted by NAB for alleged corrupt practices and amassing of illegal wealth.

The accused disappeared during the initial stages of investigation and reportedly went abroad. The court will try him under Clause 31-A of the NAB Ordinance, 1999.

Another accountability court recorded former MNA Akbar Ali Bhatti’s statement in which the accused pleaded that he was not involved in the management of Akbar Brothers which had been involved in a racket of spurious medicines in connivance with health department officials.

He also defended a land grab case against him, saying the land was obtained from the Irrigation Department land on lease.

Another court today admitted an application for quashment of case by former MPA Shahnawaz Ranjha under 265-K CrPC. The court will hear arguments on the application on Nov 26.—APP