LAHORE: A Lahore High Court division bench on Thursday gave last chance to the NAB to complete its arguments on bail petition of PPP leader Qasim Zia in the stock exchange scandal.

The bench observed that it would decide the bail matter before Eidul Azha. It also issued a notice on a NAB application that challenged an order of the accountability court refusing physical custody of Zia and sending him on judicial remand.

Zia pleaded that NAB had implicated him in the case on political grounds. He said he had already left the company that allegedly committed the fraud.

The bench adjourned hearing until Sept 23.

GULLUBUTT: A LHC division bench on Thursday dismissed an appeal of Gullu Butt seeking suspension of his sentence and release on bail.

The bench headed by Justice Abdul Sami Khan observed that many judgments of the Supreme Court discouraged suspension of the sentence, particularly awarded under the AntiTerrorism Act, before a final decision of the main appeal against the punishment.

Shahid Aziz alias Gullu Butt was convicted for smashing vehicles parl
His counsel pleaded the trial court sentenced his client acting beyond the law. He said not a single complaint was lodged againstButtbuthe was treated discriminately. He asked the court to suspend the sentence and release Butt on ball.

The prosecution opposed the appeal and cited a recent SC judgment that ruled that only the apex court had the jurisdiction to suspend sentences awarded under the anti-terrorism law.