Verdict on Babar Awan's acquittal plea deferred once again

ISLAMABAD: An accountability court on Friday once again deferred its verdict on an application filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Babar Awan seeking acquittal in the Nandipur power project reference.

Accountability Judge Muhammad Bashir, who presided over today’s proceedings in the absence of Judge Arshad Malik, adjourned the hearing till June 12.

Since Judge Arshad Malik was on leave, the pronouncement of the verdict was deferred until next hearing. He had reserved the verdict after hearing the arguments from the defence and prosecution sides.

It is noteworthy that this is the 3rd time the announcement of the verdict has been put off.

In his application seeking acquittal under section 256-K of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), Dr Babar Awan had stated the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had placed on record entire record of the case comprising of 9 volumes.

Besides, he added, key witnesses belonging to ministries of energy, cabinet division and law and justice had testified in the case. He said there is not a shred of evidence that could show his involvement in any delay or negligence in the Nandipur case.

He, therefore, pleaded that he be exonerated from all charges levelled against him in the case.