ISLAMABAD: An accountability court apprised today (Monday) that the court will hear a National Accountability Bureau (NAB) reference against former Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani after wrapping up a case against Nawaz Sharif.
Former premiers Gilani and Nawaz met at the Accountability Court I today as they came to attend the hearing of NAB references filed against them.
According to the reports, Gilani was called to the rostrum first but the NAB prosecutor was not present in court at that time. Gilani then told the Judge Arshad Malik that he can hear Nawaz’s case first.
To this Judge Malik responded, “Mian Sb’s case will take the whole day.”
After issuing a notice to NAB, once again on Gilani’s petition seeking permanent exemption from appearing for hearings of the reference, the hearing was then adjourned till November 23.
Also read Accountability court issues summons for PPP’s Gilani
Talking to the media outside the court, the PPP leader said, “I have appeared before the NAB court several times before and more premiers will appear before it now.”
Gilani went on saying, “Four former premiers have appeared before the courts and a fifth prime minister will also appear soon.”
Gilani further questioned, “I served a 10-year jail sentence and was acquitted after which I became the premier. Decisions were given in my favour, so who is answerable for the 10 years I served in prison?”
In September this year, NAB had filed a reference against Gilani pertaining to the misuse of authority.
A notification was issued by NAB in this regard which had said that former information secretary Farooq, former public information officer Saleem, Hassan Sheikhoo, Hanif and Riaz are co-accused in the case.
According to NAB, the accused ran an illegal marketing campaign for Universal Services Fund.
The national exchequer suffered a loss of Rs 128 million due to the actions of the accused, the NAB notification had said.
