Zardari not to appear before SC in money laundering case

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Former president Asif Ali Zardari's advocate Farooq H Naik confirmed that Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur will not appear before the Supreme Court today (on Thursday). As per reports, Advocate Farooq H Naik said that he will appear before the SC on behalf of the former president and his sister. Earlier today, strict security arrangements were in place inside and outside the court in light of the former president's expected appearance. On Wednesday, the legal team of Zardari submitted his reply before the FIA in relation to the Rs35 billion money-laundering scam. The reply stated that Zardari and sister Faryal Talpur would appear before FIA investigation team after general election as July 25. The legal team mentioned that Zardari and Faryal Talpur are busy in their election campaign as both contesting in upcoming elections. The former president has decided to appear before the apex court after consultation with his team of legal advisers. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is investigating 32 people in relation to money-laundering from fictitious accounts, under which Zardari’s close aide and Pakistan Stock Exchange Chairman Hussain Lawai was also arrested earlier this week. The names of the former president and his sister have already been placed on the Exit Control List — barring them from travelling abroad. During an interview with private TV channel, Zardari has said that hue and cry was raised over Rs 35 billion, but he received a notice of Rs 15 million. He said that he had faced such fake cases in the past and would face them in future as well. He dispelled the impression that the PPP is considering the election boycott. He said that he will face the bogus cases like he did in the past, adding that he was sent a notice of Rs150 million rather than the propagated Rs35 billion.