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Ehtesab court, records Wattoo's statement

RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: A judge of the Ehtesab Court, Mehmood Akhtar Shahid Saddique recorded the statement of former Punjab Chief Minister Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo and adjourned the proceedings till January 17 for further hearing in a reference against him for spending a huge amount on renovation of chief minister's secretariat.

Wattoo contended that he had not passed the orders for renovation of the building, adding that his predecessor had given the orders.

He said after completion of the renovation work he was asked to pay the amount and he had sanctioned the payment, adding that he was fully authorised to do so in accordance with the law.

He mantained that he did not commit any illegal action as chief ministers were empowered to use their discretionary powers to allocate funds.

The court after recording his statement adjourned the proceedings and directed the designer, who renovated the building, to appear before the court on the next date of hearing.