A Pakistani anti-corruption court today put off till January 12 the hearing of two cases against Interior Minister Rehman Malik after he appeared before the judge and pleaded to be exempted from personal appearance in future hearings.
Mr. Malik asked the court to exempt him from personal appearance due to the security situation and his pre-occupation with official duties.
Judge Tariq Abbasi sought the views of the National Accountability Bureau, Pakistan’s anti-corruption agency, and deferred the matter for 10 days. The minister said his lawyer would pursue the case.
He also presented to the judge papers related to the bail granted to him in connection with the two cases by the Lahore High Court last month.
The High Court had also suspended two prison terms awarded to Malik for failing to appear in the anti-corruption court.
The cases were reopened in the wake of the annulment of a graft amnesty by the Supreme Court.
The sentences will remain suspended till a decision is made on an appeal filed by Malik, the High Court said.
