Zardari, Talpur granted bail extension in money laundering case

KARACHI (92 News) – Pakistan Peoples' Party (PPP) co-chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur on Tuesday granted bail extension in money laundering case. As per reports, the banking court extended the interim bail of Zardari, Faryal and other accused in money laundering case. During the hearing, Talpur appeared before court. Zardari's lawyer apprised the court that his client was in Islamabad for the voting of presidential election hence he could not attend the hearing. A plea for exemption from appearing in court was submitted by Zardari's lawyer. The court accepted the exemption pea. Meanwhile, accused Hussain Lawai was presented before court using armored vehicle. Anwar Majeed and Abdul Ghani Majeed were not presented in court. The court adjourned the hearing till September 25. On August 18, Zardari had obtained a protective bail from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in the case. The high court had directed the former president to appear before trial court by September 3. Earlier, the case was initially registered in 2015 against former Pakistan Stock Exchange chairman Hussain Lawai, close aide to Zardari. Seven individuals, including Zardari and Talpur, were said to have been found involved in using those accounts for suspicious transactions which totalled Rs35 billion. The accounts were allegedly used to channel funds received through kickbacks.