The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Thursday issued arrest warrants for PPP Co-Chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari in connection with a suspicious Rs8 billion transaction in fake accounts case, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
According to sources in NAB, the arrest warrants duly signed by the NAB chairman will be submitted in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday (today).
Asif Zardari, who is nominated in a string of corruption cases filed by the NAB, is out on bail granted by the Islamabad High Court on medical grounds last year. Recently, he was indicted in money laundering, Park Lane properties and Thatta water supply references instituted by the NAB.
According to the NAB, the former president purchased a personal house with the suspicious transaction of Rs8 billion. The anti-graft body will request the IHC to reject Asif Zardari’s interim bail in the case and also submit the arrest warrants.
The NAB investigative team had already requested the chairman for the arrest warrants of Asif Zardari. During the last hearing, the NAB also had informed the court about it.
A two-member bench headed by Justice Aamer Farooq will hear the PPP co-chairman’s bail plea today. Asif Zardari’s counsel and the NAB will present their arguments before the court.
Zardari seeks exemption
In a related development, Asif Zardari’s counsel Farooq H Naek on Thursday submitted an application in the Islamabad High Court seeking former president’s exemption from appearance on medical grounds. He also forwarded Zardari’s medical certificate along with the application.
According to the application, Asif Zardari has been admitted to Karachi Ziauddin Hospital and has been under treatment since October 11.
The PPP said on Sunday last that the co-chairman was shifted to a private hospital after he felt ‘unwell’. “Doctors are conducting his medical check-up and necessary medical tests,” the PPP said on Twitter.
Zardari’s long-time associate Dr Asim Hussain said that the former president was brought to the hospital due to low sugar level.
PPP condemns warrants
Meanwhile, PPP Central Information Secretary Nafisa Shah has condemned the arrest warrants issued by the NAB against former president Asif Zardari.
In a statement, Nafisa said the NAB has become a tool in the hands of the incompetent rulers.