An accountability court on Friday extended the interim bail of two accused, Kamran Kiyani and Nadeem Zia, till October 15, in Ashiana Iqbal hous-ing reference, filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
The court also sought reply from the bureau on an acquittal application, filed by co-accused, Bilal Qudwai.
Accountability Court Judge Sajid Awan conducted the hearing of the reference, wherein Kamran Kiyani and Nadeem Zia appeared on expiry of their interim bail and got their attendance marked. Advocate Anwar Hussain also appeared on behalf of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as pleader and marked his attendance, besides other accused.
PM Shehbaz Sharif’s counsel Amjad Pervaiz Advocate argued before the court that investigations were underway to the extent of the accused, Kamran Kiyani and Nadeem Zia, and trial of the reference should not be stopped because of them. He submitted that the bureau could file a separate reference if it considered necessary. He submitted that the court had recorded statements of many witnesses in the reference and the trial should be continued.
A NAB investigation officer apprised the court that investigations were in progress regarding Nadeem Zia and Kamran Kiyani. He assured that the investigations would be completed soon and a report would be filed in this regard.
Subsequently, the court directed the investigation officer to file the report after completing investigations as soon as possible.
The court also issued notices to the bureau and sought reply on an acquittal application, filed by the coaccused Bilal Qudwai, besides extending interim bail of Kamran Kiyani and Nadeem Zia till October15.
The court had granted permanent exemption from personal appearance to PM Shehbaz Sharif and Fawad Hassan Fawad in the matter.
