FAZAL SHER

ISLAMABAD: Accou-ntability Court Wednesday warned former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar to appear before it on Dec 4 in connection with a corruption reference filed against him for possessing assets beyond known resources; otherwise, he would be declared a proclaimed offender.

The notification with a warning to Dar to appear before the court within 10 days has been displayed on the notice board of the Accountability Court over his continuous failure to appear before the court.

When the Accountability Court began hearing of the case, it was informed that Dar’s guarantor Ahmad Ali Qadoosi had not reached the court. The court then went into a recess to give time to Qudoosi to appear. Qadoosi reached the court after sometime and the court resumed hearing of the case.

While submitting a compliance report, Investigation Officer National Accountability Bureau (NAB), Nadir Abbas said that he visited Dar’s residences in Lahore and Islamabad for execution of arrest warrants but the accused was not found there.

Qadoosi pleaded the court through his counsel Noman A Farooq that Dar is not in the country and requested the court to give him more time to produce him before the court.

“I am myself going to the UK to inquire after Dar’s health,” he said. He said Dar is undergoing medical treatment abroad and his doctor has placed two stents in his heart. He further said that Dar’s angiography has been completed but the results are still awaited. He said that Dar requires three to four weeks to return back to the country and appear before the court.

Opposing Dar’s guarantor’s plea, NAB Prosecutor Imran Shafique said that enough time has already been given to the accused.