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Charges framed against Tanoli, other accused

PESHAWAR: The accountability courts of Peshawar on Saturday framed charges against a former NWFP minister, Habib-ur-Rehman Tanoli, and other co-accused in three references.

The courts also summoned two prosecution witnesses at next hearing on March 8, 2000.

In Saturday hearing, both accountability courts, headed by Justice Said Maroof and Justice Atta Ullah Khan, framed charges against Tanoli and all other co-accused except Sherpao.

The references pertain to illegal occupation of four kanal land and alleged unlawful recruitment in local bodies and education departments.

The co-accused are former deputy commissioner, Mansehra, Khalid Pervez, ex-assistant commissioner, Saifullah Sumbal, ex-chief officer Syed Mudassar Shah, Kamal Shah, Faqir Hussain, Mohammad Rafiq, former DOs Mohammad Ishaq, Haq Nawaz Khan Ms Salima Alam and Bibi Khurshid.

The counsel of National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Advocate Fazle Karim and Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif, also filed an application with the court to declare Sherpao as 'absconder' due to his non-appearance before the court and issue directives for confiscation of his property.

Advocate Qazi Mohammad Anwar and Haroon Bilour appeared before the court as counsel of Habib-ur-Rehman Tanoli.. Advocate Sardar Khan and Yahiya Afridi were representing accused Saifullah Sumbal. APP