PPP to form next government at Centre, claims Asif Zardari

Former president and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari claimed on Thursday that PPP would form the next government at Centre, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

He was talking to the media after appearing in an accountability court (AC) in Islamabad.

When a reporter asked him what was his opinion on the appointment of the ISI chief, he said it was his opinion that this government was ‘incompetent’ from the word go. “Five drafts had been prepared at the time of granting extension to the Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa,” he said, adding he had no idea what decision the government would take on the issue.

When another reporter asked him what did he think how long the accountability process would continue, Zardari replied, “The process will continue until the country’s economy dips further.”

Meanwhile, the accountability court (AC) on Thursday rejected Asif Zardari's acquittal plea in a corruption case. Earlier, the judge reserved its verdict on the admissibility of the petition for hearing filed by the former president for acquittal in a reference relating to the Rs8 billion suspicious transaction.

The court also summoned the PPP co-chairman to appear in person on the next hearing of the case for indictment.

During the initial hearing, Farooq H. Naek, counsel for the former president, said since there was no allegation of causing loss to the national exchequer in this particular case, therefore, the court was prayed to first decide on his client’s request for acquittal.  

NAB’s prosecutor, however, said that the bureau was ready to submit its reply in the case if the court ordered.

Judge Asghar Ali remarked that first of all the court had to decide whether the case was admissible for hearing.

Farooq H. Naek claimed that the case did not fall in the category of corrupt practices. “I pray to the court to issue a notice to the NAB to submit its reply in the case,” he added.

Reporter Ihtesham Kiani