Cross-examination of prosecution witnesses in Jang editor case delayed.

LAHORE -- An accountability court on Wednesday delayed cross-examination of two prosecution witnesses due to unavailability of Jang group editor-in-chief Mir Shakilur Rehman's lead counsel in a reference of 34-year-old illegal land allotment.

As Presiding Judge Asad Ali resumed hearing for the cross-examination of the witnesses, Mr Rehman and other suspects along with their counsel were present in the court.

However, the judge was informed that Rehman's lead counsel Amjad Pervez could not appear due to his appearance before the Lahore High Court.

Judge Ali expressed his dismay over the absence of the counsel and observed that the hearing was fixed with the consent of the counsel but he failed to ensure his appearance.

The judge adjourned hearing till March 16 and directed the witnesses to ensure their appearance for the cross-examination.

Other suspects including former director general of Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Humayon Faiz Rasool and its former director of land development department Mian Bashir Ahmad appeared before the court.

In this reference, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had been declared an absconder for not joining...