Asif Ali Zardari’s physical remand extended for 14-days
ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Former president Asif Ali Zardari’s physical remand has been extended until July 29 in fake bank accounts case.
Zardari appeared before accountability court judge Arshad Malik, after the removal of the judge from his position till the investigation into a controversial video of him with PML-N’s Nasir Butt, a duty judge presided the hearing.
He was produced before an accountability court amid tight security, as his 13-day physical remand expired today. The security was tightened around the judicial complex, as many as 500 personnel will be deployed to avoid any untoward situation.
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) team pleaded the court to extend Zardari’s remand, on which his remand was extended for 14 days. The court asked to present him on July 29.
During his appearance, a journalist asked Zardari that he also tried to take services of Nasir Butt. “We do not do such a work,” he replied. The PPP co-chairman also met with his daughter Aseefa Bhutto Zardari in the court room.
In the previous hearing, the judge asked if both NAB investigation officers could interrogate Zardari on a single remand. Responding to the court, investigation officers said that they would manage as per the court’s directives.
“Can the NAB inform in how many cases Zardari’s arrest is required?” the judge asked.
To this, Sardar Muzaffar said the bureau could only answer to that when the accused person’s involvement is evident in any case(s). “It is not possible [at the moment] to tell in how many cases he will be arrested,” he responded.
Zardari’s defence counsel, Farooq H Naik, stated before the court that transparent investigation is a part of a fair trial, and the NAB should have proceeded with the investigations in a fair manner.
On July 3, the executive board of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) accorded an approval to file reference against former president Asif Ali Zardari in Park Lane case.
Zardari, who is also co-chairman of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and party MNA, is already nominated accused in fake bank accounts case.
The approval was given during the board’s meeting held under the chair of NAB Chairman Justice (retired) Javed Iqbal. The meeting reviewed pace of investigations into different cases and inquiries.
