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Accountability court indicts Ex-NWFP CS

Iqbal Khattak

Peshawar: The Accountability Court headed by Judge Ataullah Khan on Monday indicted former NWFP Chief Secretary, Khalid Aziz. However, he pleaded "not guilty".

The court fixed April 12 as the next date for hearing and production of prosecution witnesses.

The charges include possession of "illegal" assets recovery of Rs 110 million from the account of his wife and corruption cases.

He was also charged with embezzling millions of rupees in the purchase of furniture for primary schools and some other similar cases.

On the court directive, the accused was provided the list of charges, which was given to the defence counsel.

Khalid Aziz was brought from Central Prison, Peshawar, to the Accountability Court under strict security.

His counsel filed an application with the court seeking a better class for him as what he claimed deserved respect because of being an "educated" and "top bureaucrat" having held a key position.

Judge Ataullah Khan issued orders that he should be provided "A" class facilities keeping in view his status in the society.

The detained bureaucrat's family members, including wife, mother and daughter, were present in the court. As he was being taken back to jail they burst into tears.

The NAB, FIA and top district administration officials were also present during the hearing.