ISLAMABAD: The accountability court which is hearing the corruption references filed against Finance Minister Ishaq Dar by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) upon directions of the Supreme Court of Pakistan as a result of the Panama Paper’s case resumed proceedings today where bailable arrest warrants were issued against Dar for not appearing in court today and he was given the date of November 2 to ensure his presence.
Dar is accused of possessing undeclared assets by the NAB prosecutor’s.
As the hearing began, Dar’s senior counsel Khawaja Harris pleaded before the accountability court judge to grant the finance minister exemption from today’s appearance as he is in London for some medical tests.
Khawaja also submitted Dar’s medical reports and assured his clients appearance on Thursday.
Accountability Court judge Mohammad Bashir rejected the plea after NAB officials opposed it and sought warrants to guarantee the minister’s appearance before the court.
NAB prosecutor argued that the Dar should have sought the courts permission before heading out of the country and that these are nothing but delaying tactics.
Bailable arrest warrants have been issued to ensure that the finance minister guarantees his presence in the next hearing that has been scheduled for November 2.
During the last hearing on October 23, the statements by NAB’s witnesses namely Masoodul Ghani of Habib Bank Limited and Allied Banks Abdul Rehman were recorded and their statements are likely to be recorded again today.
Bank Al Falah’s Azeem Khan and Faisal Shehzad of Habib Metropolitan Bank will also record their statements today meanwhile Dar’s senior counsel, Khawaja Harris is set to complete the cross examination procedure of the previously mentioned witnesses.
Dar has made seven appearances before the accountability court and has up till now missed just one hearing which was the first hearing on September 20.
