20000118

Hearing in AZ

corruption case

put off till 21st

KARACHI: The hearing of $84 million corruption case against accused Asif Ali Zardari was adjourned till January 21 by Jehangir S Bhatti, Judge Federal Anti-Corruption Court (Central-I) on Monday.

The adjournment came as the final challan is still awaited. Also the Investigation Officer of the case from FIA submitted before the court that the two accused namely Javed Pasha and Ghani Ansari are asbcondiong and are not traceable as yet.

The court after submission by the Investigation Officer put off the matter till January 21. The court also adjourned hearing of an application moved by Farooq H Naek, counsel for the accused for allowing construction of an underground water tank in his cell at the Central Prison Karachi as comments from the jail authorities were not submitted.

The case pertains to alleged misappropriation of $84 million given by the Asian Development Bank to the KESC for its system improvement plan.

Asif Zardari produced amidst tight security also has brief talk with the court reporters.ÑAPP