Accountability Court in Islamabad has stopped criminal proceedings against President Asif Zardari in the Toshakhana vehicle reference over constitutional immunity, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Advocate Farooq H. Naek filed the application on behalf of President Zardari who contended that the President enjoys constitutional immunity.

After hearing the arguments of President Zardari’s counsel, the Accountability Court judge declared that the Toshakhana vehicle reference could not be heard until Asif Zardari keeps the office of President of Pakistan.

Earlier, Advocate Farooq Naek pleaded that President Zardari claimed immunity as provided in Article 248 of the constitution against criminal proceedings.

Article 248(2) says, “No criminal proceedings whatsoever shall be instituted or pursued against the president or a governor during his term of office”. Article 248(3) adds that “no process for arrest or imprisonment of the president or a governor shall issue from any court during his term of office”.

During the hearing, advocate Khawaja Mansoor appeared as prosecution on the behalf of National Accountability Bureau.