Court decides to indict Zardari, Gillani on Sept 9 in Toshakhana case

ISLAMABAD (92 News) - An accountability court on Monday ruled that former president Asif Ali Zardari and former premier Yousuf Raza Gillani will be indicted in the Toshakhana reference on September 9. Zardari appeared before court to attend a hearing in the reference. The accountability court heard the Toshakhana reference against Zardari and will frame charges against the PPP leader on September 9. Accountability Judge Asghar Ali halted the process to declare former prime minister Nawaz Sharif a proclaimed offender over his perpetual absence from the court’s proceedings in the case until Aug 25 after he was informed that the PML-N supreme leader’s arrest warrants have been challenged in the IHC. The accountability court also summoned Omni Group owner Anwar Majeed and his son Abdul Ghani Majeed, named in the case, to appear on next hearing on Sept 9 for indictment and directed all accused to furnish a surety bond of Rs2 million each. Over the course of the hearing, Zardari’s lawyer Farooq H Naek complained to the judge that they had considerable difficulty reaching court because of police erecting barriers and setting up check posts on all roads leading to it. PPP chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, his sister Aseefa Bhutto and some party leaders also reached the accountability court to show solidarity with the former president. The party leadership had directed its members of the Parliament and People’s Lawyers Forum to reach Islamabad. As part of stringent security measures, police blocked all roads leading to court by placing barriers and barbed wire. Some party leaders and supporters complained of being denied access to the court. The PPP co-chairman departed for Islamabad yesterday evening, however, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto already reached in Islamabad. The party leadership has directed its members of the Parliament and People’s Lawyers Forum to reach Islamabad from across the country to show solidarity with the leader. Meanwhile, the NAB Rawalpindi has written a letter to the chief commissioner and IG to increase security. An accountability court has summoned the former president to appear before it on August 17. The court has issued warrants for Zardari in Toshakhana accountability reference. Former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gillani has been granted exemption from appearance in hearing of the reference.

Toshakhana reference

The NAB had filed a reference with the accountability court against the former heads of the state and governments for not depositing luxury vehicles and valuable gifts received from the foreign leaders in the treasury. Zardari had received expensive cars as a gift from Libya and the UAE as president but did not deposit it in the Tosha Khana, the sources added. The reference states that Zardari and Sharif obtained cars from Toshakhana by paying 15 per cent of the price of the cars. The bureau further alleged that Gilani facilitated Zardari and Nawaz in this regard.