Whether it is part of the preparations to arrest the JUI-F chief or something else, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has expanded the investigation scope in connection with the corruption allegations against Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Thursday.

Sources say the NAB has summoned several patwaris (local level revenue officials) and collected information about the assets of Fazl’s close aides.

The NAB officials prepared the list of those close to the JUI-F owning large chunks of land, the sources added.

Also on Thursday, the NAB issued arrest warrants for former president Asif Ali Zardari in connection with a suspicious Rs8 billion transaction in fake accounts case.

According to the NAB sources, arrest warrants duly signed by the NAB chairman will be submitted in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday (today).

Zardari, who is nominated in a string of corruption cases, is out on bail granted by the IHC on medical grounds last year. Recently, he was indicted in money laundering, Park Lane properties and Thatta water supply references.

According to the NAB, the former president purchased a personal house with a suspicious transaction. The anti-graft body will request the IHC to reject Zardari’s interim bail in the case while submitting the arrest warrants.

A two-member bench headed by Justice Aamer Farooq will hear the PPP co-chairman’s bail plea today, as Zardari’s counsel and the NAB will present their arguments before the court. 

In a related development, Asif Zardari’s counsel Farooq H Naek on Thursday submitted an application in the IHC, seeking exemption for his client from appearance on medical grounds. He also forwarded Zardari’s medical certificate along with the application.

Meanwhile, PPP Information Secretary Nafisa Shah condemned the move, saying the NAB had become a tool in the hands of the incompetent rulers.

However, the Peshawar High Court on Thursday ordered the NAB not to arrest PML-N leader Capt Safdar till Nov 4, granting him bail in connection with an ongoing inquiry into alleged financial irregularities.

Later, Safdar told media persons that Imran Khan and those propelling him into the office had asked NAB to arrest him as the attempt to detain him was made after Nawaz Sharif’s speech at the APC organised by the opposition parties.