ISLAMABAD: Former federal minister Babar Awan has filed again his petition in Accountability Court (AC) seeking acquittal in the case pertaining to billion of rupees loss caused to national exchequer due to delay in Nandi Pur power project. Judge Muhammad Arshid Malik of AC took up for hearing Nandi Pur reference on Friday. Prosecution witnessTanvir Saeed Barlas , a section officer of law ministry recorded his statement and presented the record. He said Babar Awan is not responsible for delay in Nandi Pur Power Project case. He said that during tenure of Babar Awan as minister file of Nandi Pur case came here once on March 3, 2010 and no delay was made and the case file was sent back on the same day as per record. The witness said he has come in the court to record evidence for the first time, therefore, I am feeling not able to speak in proper way. Judge Arshid Malik remarked many works are done first time in the life. Marriage also takes place first time in life. Have you denied first time marriage. First time evidence is no excuse. Give the evidence correctly. The lawyers for the accused raised objections on the documents filed by witness that these documents were neither prepared by witness nor were prepared in their presence. Babar Awan again filed the petition seeking his acquittal in this reference. Earlier Babar Awan while withdrawing his petition for acquittal had said he would face trial because of order of his mother. The statements of three witnesses have been recorded so far and 35 witnesses including former ministers Syed Naveed Qamar and Khawaja Asif have to record their statements. The hearing of the case was adjourned till April 23.
