The Islamabad High Court on Monday adjourned the state’s plea against the acquittal of former president and PPP Co-Chairman in the SGS and Cotecna references for indefinite time period.
A division bench comprising Justice Noorul Haq Qureshi and Justice Athar Minallah heard the plea field by the MAB through its prosecutor General Accountability against the decision of NAB court Judge Muhammad Bashir.
During the proceedings, Adnan Tahir appeared before the court and apprised that onward he would plead the case instead of senior prosecutor, Chaudhry Riaz.
He said that as he was newly assigned and some time was needed for preparation of the case.
The court observed that being a newly assigned prosecutor an appropriate time period should be given and adjourned the matter to date in office.
Earlier, the petitioner prayed to the court to set aside the alleged impugned order dated 24 November 2015 whereby the Asif Ali Zardari was acquitted and he may be sentenced in accordance with law for larger interest of justice.
It is pertinent to mention here that earlier a trial court acquitted former president on the grounds of not having solid evidences against the accused.
The allegation was that Ex. Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, her spouse and Ex-federal Minster Ex-chairman CBR AR Siddiqui in collusion with each other and collaboration with M/s Society Generate De Surveillance S. A (SGS) awarded contract for Pre-shipment Inspection (PSI) to M/s SGS in consideration for illegal gratification and undue pecuniary advantage.
While in the Cotecna case the contract was given to a Swiss company after allegedly receiving six per cent commission.