Court adjourns mines corruption reference against Sabtain Khan till May 6

An anti-corruption court on Wednesday adjourned hearing of the mines and minerals corruption reference against former speaker Punjab Assembly Sabtain Khan and other accused until May 6, while seeking arguments on pending applications filed by the defence

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Mar, 2026) An anti-corruption court on Wednesday adjourned hearing of the mines and minerals corruption reference against former speaker Punjab Assembly Sabtain Khan and other accused until May 6, while seeking arguments on pending applications filed by the defence.

Judge Muhammad Jameel heard the case, during which Sabtain Khan and other accused appeared before the court to mark attendance.

During proceedings, Sabtain Khan’s counsel pressed a plea challenging the court’s jurisdiction, arguing that the reference had been transferred directly from the National Accountability Bureau court to the anti-corruption court, whereas the Anti-Corruption Establishment Punjab should first conduct a fresh investigation and submit a challan before trial proceedings continue.

Co-accused Salman Ghani also has an acquittal application pending before the court. However, his counsel did not appear for arguments and sought more time, prompting the court to adjourn proceedings and direct all parties to complete arguments at the next hearing ??

The court also observed that former Punjab Mines and Minerals Development Corporation official Rao Manzar Hayat, who is an approver in the case, could face trial if he retracts from his statement. The court noted that the approver may be summoned whenever required.

Sabtain Khan is accused of awarding mines and minerals contracts to favoured individuals during his tenure as provincial minister. Other accused include former secretary mines and minerals Imtiaz Ahmad Cheema and Chief Inspector Mines Punjab Abdul Sattar