LAHORE, Feb 22: An accountability court on Saturday sentenced former MNA Chaudhry Farooq Hussain to seven-year rigorous imprisonment with Rs5 million fine on corruption charges in a NAB reference.

In case of non-payment of fine, the convict will have to undergo further imprisonment of two years.

The court further declared that the convict disqualified to be elected as member of any public office, statutory or local authority of the government under section 15 of the NAB ordinance.

The former MNA can challenge his conviction before the Lahore High Court within 10 days following his conviction.

In this reference, Chaudhry Farooq had been accused of having procured assets disproportionate to his known sources of income in Faisalabad.

The assets include agricultural land measuring 244 kanals and eight marla; Layallpur filling station; Layallpur Flour and General Mills; 20 per cent shares in City Plaza; three shops, one residential and three commercial plots; one dairy farm; one house and residential land measuring 4 kanals and two marla.

He allegedly acquired state land measuring 182 kanal and two marla in Faisalabad through a false affidavit.

The former MNA had been further accused of living beyond means and making a false disclosure of his assets acquired during 1985 to 1999 before the authorities concerned.

According to the NAB, the actual income of the convict was Rs2.62 million during 1985 to 1999 while the assets acquired by him during this period valued Rs290.54 million.