20000218

Ex-CM, PDA chief remanded for another 37 days

Iqbal Khattak

Peshawar: The NWFP Accountability Court on Thursday extended the physical remand of former chief minister Mahtab Ahmed Khan and the then head of the Peshawar Development Authority (PDA), Zahir Shah, by another 37 days.

Both Mahtab and Zahir Shah were arrested on December 27 last year on the charges of corruption, misuse of power and irregularities by the National Accountability Bureau.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had on Thursday produced the deposed chief minister before Judge Syed Maroof Shah on expiry of the 10-day remand.

With 37 more days in remand, Mahtab will now be produced again on completion of 90 days in the NAB custody. His next hearing is scheduled for March 25.

Defence lawyer Sardar Khan told the court that his client was not yet informed about charges despite being in custody for 53 days.

"Charges against the accused (Mahtab) be prepared in the shortest possible period of time", he added.

On humanitarian ground, he pleaded, Mahtab should be allowed a walk twice a day, newspapers and food from his home.

Advocate Salim Dil Khan also forwarded similar arguments on behalf of Zahir Shah.