Zardari moves SC against transfer of fake bank accounts case to NAB court in Islamabad

An appeal stating that PPP leadership is being subjected to political revenge has been filed in SC.

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday has challenged decision of transferring fake bank accounts case from banking court Karachi to accountability court in Islamabad. An appeal stating that the PPP leadership is being subjected to political revenge has been filed in the Supreme Court (SC). On the other hand, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto and Asif Ali Zardari have decided to arrive at National Accountability Bureau (NAB) office for appearance on May 29 in the form of rally. The party leaders and workers have been directed to gather outside Zardari House at 9 am on Wednesday for the departure.

Earlier, ex-president Asif Ali Zardari was issued another notice to turn up at NAB old headquarters in Rawalpindi on May 29 for investigation into his alleged role in overvaluation of power projects and illegal awards of contracts.

Combined Investigation Team (CIT) of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) will record his statement in both inquiries.

On May 23, Mr Zardari had excused himself from appearing before the NAB Rawalpindi on the pretext of busy schedule in the ongoing investigation into the fake bank accounts case.

The former president had written a letter to the NAB, stating that he could not appear today due to busy schedule, and asked it to manage another date for him.

The bureau had summoned him in an inquiry pertaining to illegal allotment of land by Sindh government and misuse of powers.

On May 15, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) granted him and his sibling Faryal Talpur bail in all of the cases against them. The high court had granted Mr Zardari interim bail in the money laundering case until May 29.

On May 9, the NAB had summoned him to record his statement in the fake accounts case; however he had excused himself from appearing before the CIT, and sought another date on the grounds that he was scheduled to appear before an accountability court in Islamabad on the same day. The NAB has already filed references in money laundering through fake bank accounts, Pink Residency and illegal award of water supply schemes against him.

On April 13, Zardari had submitted his written response to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Rawalpindi on 54 questions in connection with three cases against him, including Park Lane Estate, Pink Residency, and fake accounts and money laundering.

Earlier, the case was being heard in a banking court in Karachi but had been shifted to an accountability court in Islamabad upon an appeal by the anti-corruption watchdog.