AC reject acquittal pleas, orders to present Zardari on Sep 28

The accountability court has rejected all the acquittal pleas of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari in mega-money laundering, Park Lane, and Thatta water supply references.

According to the details the court has directed to indict the PPP leader in all three references. The ex-president cannot be acquitted in fake bank accounts case, judge Azam Khan remarked.

In addition to this, the court ordered to present all accused including former president Asif Ali Zardari on September 28.

The court had reserved the verdict on Asif Ali Zardari’s plea seeking acquittal in the NAB references.

During the hearing, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had requested to dispose of Zardari’s acquittal petition and continue case proceedings against him.

Released on Medical Grounds

In December 2019, former president Asif Ali Zardari was released on medical grounds.

He was released after an accountability court in Islamabad issued separate robkars [mandamuses] in the money laundering through fake bank accounts cases against him.

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NAB is conducting investigations in pursuance of the Supreme Court’s verdict in the money laundering of billions through fake accounts case wherein it forwarded the joint investigation team (JIT) report with directions to investigate and file references.

Zardari has repeatedly dismissed allegations he had a hand in the scheme.

Zardari Challenges NAB

Earlier the former President Asif Ali Zardari challenged the decision National Accountability Bureau (NAB) seize his luxury cars (two BMWs and one Toyota Lexus) the Toshakhana reference.

Zardari has filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court. The court sought a reply from NAB on September 24 on Asif Zardari’s request.

He has filed a petition in an Islamabad accountability court.

The former President, who was indicted in the reference on September 9, requested the court to set aside NAB’s July 22 freezing order as well as the order’s confirmation issued on August 17.

Asif Zardari said that the decision to freeze the vehicles was illegal and NAB should be stopped from confiscating the vehicles till the decision is announced.

The Toshakhana is an official treasury where gifts from foreign dignitaries or heads of state are deposited.

Earlier on August 17, an accountability court had set September 9 as date to indict Zardari and former prime minister and PPP leader Yousuf Raza Gilani in the Toshakhana reference.