20000307

Nawaz to record statement tomorrow

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, main accused in the October 12 plane conspiracy case, will record his statement on Wednesday, March 8.

The other six accused in conspiracy case are former chief minister of Punjab Shahbaz Sharif, former adviser to prime minister on Sindh affairs Syed Ghous Ali Shah, former chairman of Pakistan International Airlines Khaqan Abbasi, former chief of the Ehetsab Bureau Saifur Rehman, former principal secretary to the prime minister Saeed Mehdi, and former inspector general of Sindh police Rana Maqbool Ahmed.

All the accused and about 11 witnesses were present in the court, when the hearing was resumed on Monday.

Except Ejaz Batalvi, other defence counsel attended the court.

Earlier, defence counsel Khawaja Sultan opposed the application of the prosecution to play the spools and said the spools could not be played in the court in the presence of the prosecution without bringing them in the witness box.

Advocate General of Sindh Raja Qureshi, said that he would not press for his application under section 540 Cr. PC to play the spools in the presence of witnesses for identification of voices.

He said he would rely upon section 164 Cr. PC.

The judge of the Anti Terrorism Court, Rehmat Hussain Jaffery, after listening to the two sides ordered that the court was of the view that playing of spools would not serve any purpose. It may be dropped. The court also ordered recording of statements of the accused under section 342 Cr. PC.

However, the defence has requested the court to record the statement partly given verbally and partly in writing. The court did not pass any order in this respect.