Accountability court extends Asif Zardari’s interim bail in US properties case

ISLAMABAD: The accountability court of Islamabad on Tuesday extended the interim bail of former president Asif Ali Zardari till December 14 in the case pertaining to his alleged properties in the United States.

During the hearing, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) submitted its response against Zardari’s bail plea in the case. The NAB said Asif Zardari was not covered by it in the investigation related to the US properties case.

The accountability watchdog mentioned his arrest warrants are not issued as of yet. “Neither was Zardari summoned, nor we asked him to appear before the investigation team in the case,” said the prosecutor.

The accountability court has sought evidence and arguments from the counsel of the Pakistan Peoples Party co-chairman, Farooq H Naek, on December 14.

Read more: Asif Zardari files acquittal plea in Toshakhana reference

According to NAB, the high-profile suspect was the owner of an apartment in Belaire Condominiums located at 524 East in New York.

On November 18, the NAB had sought time from the accountability court of Islamabad for submitting a response against Asif Ali Zardari’s plea for acquittal under the recently promulgated accountability ordinance, in the reference pertaining to mega-money laundering.

Accountability court judge Azam Khan was hearing the case. The accountability watchdog was expected to submit its response against the application of Asif Zardari on November 18.