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Hakim Zardari exempted from appearance in court

LAHORE: An Accountability Court on Tuesday exempted Hakim Ali Zardari, former chairman Public Accounts Committee of the National Assembly, from personal appearance in court 'for the time being.'

Headed by M. A. Shahid Siddiqui, the court ruled that the accused would, however, be kept in judicial custody until he is undergoing treatment in hospital.

The court was informed by a Sindh government official that the accused was not in a position to travel and make his presence in the court. The court had inquired about the time period required for his recovery, but the official was unable to say after how long the accused would recuperate enough to attend the court.

Hakim Ali Zardari, father of Asif Ali Zardari and father-in-law of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, is alleged to have pledged 4.5 acres land near National Park, Rawalpindi with NDFC for a loan of Rs 86.789 million as chairman Tourist Village (Pvt) Ltd., and received Rs 3 million against it which had accumulated to Rs 13.15 million on June 30, 1996.

Though already pledged, the land was sold by Hakim Zardari to one Zafar Mahmood Khan for Rs 24.5 million. At the same time, he sold about 25 percent of the said land to PTDC as well.

Saleem Sehgal advocate appeared on behalf of Hakim Zardari.

The court adjourned the case to February 3, 2000 for arguments on application moved under Sections 561-A and 265-K of CrPC.

Another court headed by Munir Ahmad Sheikh fixed January 27 for arguments on application moved by accused Chaudhry Abdul Hameed, ex-mayor Sargodha under Section 265-K CrPC. In the other two references against Ch. Abdul Hameed and Anwer Khurshid, also ex-mayor Sargodha, the accused submitted to move fresh applications under 265-K CrPC.

In the third Accountability Court, headed by Sheikh Mohammad Rafiq Goreja, the accused Hashim Baber submitted a document in the court in his defence. The case was adjourned till January 31, 2000. APP