Park Lane case: Zardari withdraws plea for dismissal of reference

ISLAMABAD (92 News) - former president Asif Ali Zardari on Friday has withdrawn his plea seeking dismissal of fake bank accounts case and Park Lane reference. Accountability court Judge Azam Khan heard the Park Lane reference. During the hearing, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) deputy prosecutor requested the court to dispose of the Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP) co-chairman's plea and indict him in the corruption reference. The NAB deputy prosecutor further said that the plea cannot be withdrawn after completion of arguments. "The accused are trying to delay the proceedings of the case," he added. Meanwhile, the accountability judge has assured to wrap the reference as per law. In December 2019, former president Asif Ali Zardari was released on medical grounds after an accountability court in Islamabad issued separate robkars [mandamuses] in the Park Lane Estate Company and the money laundering through fake bank accounts cases against him. On the other hand, the superintendent of Adiala Jail appeared before court in the contempt of court case for not allowing Asifa Bhutto to meet her father. Assistant Commissioner Mehreen Baloch did not come. Judge Azam Khan remarked that no one is above the law, if they do not appear today, he will issue orders. The superintendent said that when Asif Ali Zardari was in jail, he was not the superintendent. The judge said that then the IG will be summoned after giving notice. "We will wait for the response from the administration today," he maintianed.