ISLAMABAD – Former president and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari excused himself from appearing before the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) today in relation to the fake accounts case, while Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has reached NAB office to face interrogation in the Park Lane Estates (Pvt) Limited case.
According to media reports, scores of PPP supporters are present to express their support for the party and the police have arrested several PPP workers after they clashed with the police. The police have ensured strict security arrangements outside the bureau and the adjoining roads are blocked for routine traffic.
Zardari and his son Bilawal were scheduled to appear before a Combined Investigation Team (CIT) of the NAB Rawalpindi. Bilawal reached the office for the appearance in a form of carcade of about a hundred vehicles.
Whereas, Asif Ali Zardari has excused himself from appearing before a CIT in another case – regarding an illegal award of contract for a solar power project that allegedly caused Rs10 billion loss to the national exchequer – with a request made to the NAB that he has to appear before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) at the same time for a pre-arrest bail appeal.
Several senior party leaders and workers gathered at Zardari House in Islamabad. The CIT will record Bilawal’s statement in the case for the second time.
Earlier today, in his messages on Twitter, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari wrote that “Despite no official call to protest, party workers have begun to reach Islamabad. In violation of every Pakistanis democratic rights of freedom of assembly panicked govt. released a midnight notification to harass opponents in KP, Punjab & Islamabad. Dartay hain Tabdelee walay…”
https://twitter.com/BBhuttoZardari/status/1133593820682162178
He also wrote that “Thank you all for supportive messages. Will be leaving for NAB pindi shortly. Despite CJ Nisar announcing that I am innocent, govt has no tolerance for constructive criticism & opposition voices, continue to persecute political opponents. Luckily I’ve had a lot of practice”
https://twitter.com/BBhuttoZardari/status/1133593808216707072
Earlier, the NAB had filed a petition with the trial court on behalf of NAB Chairman Justice (rtd) Javed Iqbal, stating that the investigation of the case had been transferred to the anti-graft watchdog by the apex court. The petition had requested the trial court to transfer the proceedings of the case to an accountability court in Rawalpindi.
Following the petition, the banking court had reserved its verdict earlier this week. Later, the court announced its verdict and allowed the transfer of the fake accounts and money laundering case from Karachi to an accountability court in Rawalpindi.
