Defence counsel of former prime minister and Pakistan People's Party chairperson Benazir Bhutto on Saturday contended prosecution could not prove its evidences regarding allegation of misusing of powers or issuing any illegal instructions to favour any one for recruitment in Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
Accountability Court (AC) in Karachi was hearing illegal appointment trial against Benazir Bhutto and others. AC headed by Judge Parkash Lal Ambwani partly heard arguments of Abdul Hafeez Lakho Advocate appearing for Benazir Bhutto.
The counsel argued that allegations of prosecution were not supported by any evidence as Benazir Bhutto never came in contact with any of the officers of PIAC in connection with their appointments, up-gradation or other benefits.
He submitted prosecution initially charged defendant with undue favouring persons for their appointment in corporation but now it accused his client of causing loss to corporation, while no loss has caused to PIA due to appointments.
He said prosecution witnesses Colonel Basit, then manager employment and planning and his subordinates Ghazanfar Shah, Abid Ali and Arif Shah did not connect his client with offence nor shown any conspiracy or connivance with other co-accused.
Lakho mentioned that Supreme Court also gave ruling that appointments were made according to rules and regulations. He also placed letter of ministry of defence regarding regularisation of employees in the light of SC verdict.
The counsel was on his legs as the court time was over. He will continue his arguments on evidence of prosecution on next date of hearing, which was fixed for August 9.
Benazir Bhutto, A V M Umer Farooq (Retd), ex-Managing Director of PIA, Director PIAC Ghulam Qadir Shah, PM's political secretary Naheed Khan and ex-section officer Najmul Hasan are accused of illegally recruiting 1,393 persons in different cadres in PIAC, posting persons abroad and promoting various officials in violation of corporation rules.
Twice elected Prime Minister and other co-accused denied all charges of prosecution. If convicted, they could face seven years' prison.
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