Zardari records statement before NAB Rawalpindi CIT

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) co-chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday appeared before the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Combined Investigation Team (CIT). The NAB Rawalpindi recorded the statement of Asif Ali Zardari in two of the ongoing inquiries against him in connection with the Harish and Company probe, which is part of its ongoing investigation in the fake accounts and money laundering case. The CIT of the NAB, headed by investigation officer Ahmad Saeed Wazir recorded his statement during an interrogation for an hour and a half. During the interrogation, Zardari requested to reply in written form and Rawalpindi Director General Irfan Mangi among four member team accepted the request of the former president. The corruption watchdog body, Harish and Company had taken a contract for water supply from the Special Initiative Department of Sindh but no work was done on the project. It is further alleged that these funds were used to meet the expenses of Naudero House. The NAB officials claim that Harish and Company was the front company to Park Lane Estate which led to a loss of Rs60 million to the national exchequer. After his appearance in the bureau, his defense counsel Farooq H Naek told the media that Zardari was not directly involved in the matter. Farooq H Naek said that his client had nothing to do with Harish and Company. He added that the even the reference did not include the name of the former president, yet his client was summoned. Naek further said Asif Ali Zardari wasn’t a director rather a shareholder in Park Lane. “Park Lane mortgaged its property and took a loan. Zardari was not aware of this. It was discovered in the JIT that the property had been mortgaged.” According to Naek, no questionnaire had been handed to Asif Ali Zardari. He also mentioned that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto is innocent and he has no role in this case. He further said that Bilawal is being given wrong notices. PPP leaders including Nayyer Bukhari, Nafeesa Shah, Amir Fida Paracha, Rukhsana Bangash, Farahatullah Babar were also reached the old headquarter of the NAB along Zardari. They were not allowed to enter in the building before but after they were provided to the seats inside the office.