SUKKUR: The Sukkur Accountability court heard on Monday a reference filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against Pakistan Peoples Party’s senior leader Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah and 17 co-accused, including his close relatives, and adjourned the hearing to July 19.

Mr Shah, his two sons and wives who were also among the accused, were indicted in the case of accumulating Rs1.24 billion worth assets beyond known sources of income.

The hearing lasted four hours during which the court recorded statements of Rohri mukhtiarkar Zahid Shah and two witnesses and the lawyers of both sides cross-examined the mukhtiarkar.

MNA Khursheed Shah told journalists outside the court that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government borrowed $17bn to run affairs of the state during its three years of rule. The situation was worrisome as people were being crushed by huge loans, he said.

He claimed that relations with neighbouring countries Iran and China were not cordial and Pakistan was passing through a crucial period. “We must not underestimate the geopolitical changes taking place in USA, Afghanistan and the region,” he said.

He expressed satisfaction over performance of PPP government in Sindh and said that people should not lose hope and have faith in parliament.

Mr Shah was brought to the court in an ambulance and his son Farrukh Shah was transported from Sukkur central jail in an armoured vehicle.

His nephew provincial minister Syed Owais Qadir Shah, Khursheed Shah’s two wives and a son Syed Zeerak Shah were also present in the court during the hearing.

Shah left for Islamabad to attend National Assembly session after appearing in court. The NA speaker had issued production order for him to attend the session.

Published in Dawn, June 29th, 2021