Court grants Ashraf permanent exemption from appearance

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf was today granted permanent exemption from appearance in an anti-graft court in connection with a rental power case against him.
Ashraf's lawyer Farooq Naek said due to security concerns his client could not appear before the court in today's hearing. He requested the court to grant permanent exemption to the senior Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader from appearing in person.
The court approved the request and adjourned the case till March 7.
Judge Muhammad Bashir completed its cross-examination of government witness Yousuf Joya during the hearing.
Speaking to the media, Naek said despite being granted permanent exemption, Ashraf would appear before the court whenever required.

The PPP leader was accused of receiving kickbacks and commissions from nine rental power project firms for awarding contracts for setting up their projects in 2008 to overcome electricity crisis in the country.
He was subsequently indicted in the case, along with six others, by the accountability court on January 17 this year.
Ashraf served as premier between June 22, 2012 and March 25, 2013.