SUNDAY TIMES KARACHI:Former federal minister and a key accused Babar Ghauri has been declared proclaimed offender in the case.

The court hearing a reference against the accused about illegal recruitment and misuse of authority, filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

MQM’s MPA Javed Hanif and other accused were present in the court hearing Rs. 2.75 billion corruption case.

The NAB prosecution presented Deputy Secretary Ports and Shipping Saifullah as its witness in the court.

The counsel of the accused pleaded to the court for time to prepare for the case.

The judge granted the plea and ordered the lawyers to appear in the next hearing with preparation.

The court adjourned the corruption hearing till March 29.

Accused MQM leaders Javed Hanif, Rauf Akhtar Farooqui and others have been arrested in the case.

Former federal minister Babar Ghauri and eight other accused have been nominated in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) corruption reference.