Ishaq Dar indicted in graft reference

ISLAMABAD: An accountability court has indicted Finance Minister Ishaq Dar in assets beyond known sources of income reference filed by the National Accountability Bureau.

As per details, Dar appeared before the accountability court today [Wednesday], where no media representatives were allowed to enter. Judge Muhammad Bashir read out charges against the minister, which he denied and opted to contest them.

The court, meanwhile, turned down a request of the defence lawyer for more time to frame charges [indictment] on the ground that “bulk of the record has to be perused in a brief period of time”.

The court directed prosecution to begin producing witnesses on October 4, which has been set as the next date of hearing.  Further, two witnesses have been summoned on the next hearing.

Earlier, the Accountability Court Islamabad on Monday said it will indict Dar in a NAB reference on September 27.

“The court intends to conduct daily hearings in the reference, so that the trial is concluded within the stipulated time of six months,” Express Tribune quoted Judge Bashir.