Summary Former president is due to arrive in Islamabad on Wednesday.
KARACHI: (Dunya News) – Former president Asif Ali Zardari will appear before Accountability Court on January 9 to submit his response on references filed by National Accountability Bureau (NAB). Former president is expected to be indicted on his appearance, Dunya News reported.
Asif Ali Zardari was earlier summoned in court on at least five corruption references filed by NAB but didn’t appear before the court due to security issues and presidential immunity when he was still in the office.
Former president is due to arrive in Islamabad from Karachi on Wednesday.
Zardari’s cases were reopened in October with NAB submitting that his presidential immunity ended as he stepped down. Defense attorney Farooq H. Naek had pleaded the extensions owing to the pertinent threats faced by the former president.
Sindh High Court had earlier permitted the former president to use bullet proof vehicles with tinted glass and bear additional security on his own expenses. Former president had failed to appear three times and the court had adjourned the hearing until January 9.
Zardari is now ready to face charges and will appear before Accountability Court on the summoned date to submit his response. Former president might be indicted on his appearance before the court, Dunya News reported.
The references filed against the former president are:
Polo ground case: This reference builds upon the construction of polo ground along with ancillary works at Prime Minister House which NAB says are illegal and in violation of the rights and privileges afforded to him.
SGS: This graft case is the continuance of the reference filed in 1997 that alleged former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and spouse to have gained of the contract between SGS and government.
ARY case: This reference revolves around granting of trade licenses to ARY Traders for importing gold and silver which NAB says has caused losses to the public treasury.
Ursus tractors: This reference deals with the alleged corruption during the import of Russian and Polish tractors which NAB says caused losses to the national treasury.
Cotecna: This case talks about the award of contract to a Swiss company Cotecna after allegedly taking 6% bribe on the revenue proceeds of the company.
It is pertinent to mention here that media reports have vaguely compared Zardari’s willingness to face charges with Musharraf’s alleged reluctance of doing so. Former president Pervez Musharraf is facing trial for suspending constitution and imposing emergency in November 2007.
