Park Lane reference: Zardari's indictment delayed once again.

ISLAMABAD -- Former president Asif Ali Zardari avoided indictment in the Park Lane reference yet again on Monday after his lawyer, Farooq H Naek, requested the court for additional time to prepare for the case.

During today's hearing, Naek filed an application with the court, requesting the accountability court to give him some time.

'You should have submitted the request earlier,' remarked Judge Azam Khan after receiving the application.

To this, Naek responded by saying that he had to do more research and take out records related to the case, to defend his client.

However, NAB prosecutor Sardar Muzzafar Abbasi intervened and asked the court to issue a notice to them in the case. 'We will argue today after 30 minutes,' Abbasi told the court.

'Why is the prosecutor in such a hurry in this case?' asked Naek upon hearing this. He questioned that there are other cases that NAB is pursuing but why was the anti-graft body in such a hurry when it came to this particular one.

'We should be given reasonable time. We are not asking for a stay order,' added Naek, adding that he was requesting the time for himself.

However, Abbasi responded by saying that NAB has to submit a response to the court and it should be the one asking for time.

'Keep the hearing for the case on the coming Tuesday, I have to do research,' Naek requested the court.

But Abbasi intervened again and told the court that it was necessary to charge the accused within seven days after copies of the reference were provided to them.

After hearing the lawyers, Judge Azam recommended July 9 as the next hearing date. But Naek stated that he had to appear at the Supreme Court's Karachi registry which is why he could not appear for...

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