Court extends Zardari's physical remand for 11 days

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – The Rawalpindi accountability court on Friday extended the physical remand of former president and Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari by 11-days in fake accounts case. The NAB presented Zardari in the court of Accountability Judge Muhammad Arshad Malik upon completion of his physical remand today. The corruption watchdog requested an extension in his remand for further interrogation in the case. The court remanded the former president to the NAB for 11 days, directed to produce the NAB court on July 2. At the previous hearing, the court had granted the NAB 10-day physical remand of the former president. The accountability judge ordered that Zardari be presented before the court again on June 21 (today). The PPP co-chairman was presented in the court a day after his arrest. NAB demanded 14-day physical remand of Zardari, which was opposed by his counsel Farooq H Naek. In its detailed judgement, the court said that the corruption watchdog body’s arrest of Zardari was based on the need for further investigation of the accused and as such, there is no ulterior motive involved in his arrest. The verdict also states that arguments on behalf of the petitioners that chairman NAB does not have authority or jurisdiction in the matter are without substance. A number of party workers and Zardari’s children Bilawal and Aseefa saw him off as the former president was driven away in a black Landcruiser. The emotional scene has also been seen when Zardari hugs and kisses with her daughter Aseefa Zaradri. On May 31, the NAB has approved arrests warrants for former president and People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari in mega money laundering case.