LAHORE: Former President Asif Ali Zardari’s lawyers were expected to appear before the Supreme Court on Monday as part of a fake account and money laundering case.
Legal counsels Farooq H Naik and Sardar Lateef Khosa will testify before a three-judge bench — representing the apex court’s Lahore registry – headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar, on behalf of Zardari who is also the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) Co-Chairperson.
On Sunday, advocate Khosa said that while he couldn’t comment on what is expected to happen but, based on standard operating procedure, the court will hand over the Joint Investigation Team’s (JIT) report and set the next hearing date.
On Friday, a banking court extended the interim bail for Zardari and his sister, Faryal Talpur, until January 7 in the ongoing money laundering case.
Meanwhile, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) said it is questioning 32 people for money laundering from fictitious accounts. These including Zardari, Talpur, Omni group’s owners, and Summit Bank vice chairman Hussain Lawai. In July this year, Lawai was arrested in connection with the probe.
Omni Group’s chairman, Anwar Majeed — another close aide of Zardari — and his son, Abdul Ghani were arrested by the FIA in August.
The JIT is investigating the fake accounts as part of a legal course of action against approximately 415 key individuals and 172 entities allegedly involved in transactions of approximately Rs220 billion via 104 fake accounts. The case started after multiple unidentified accounts were opened at private banks wherefrom transactions worth billions of rupees were made.
PPP Deputy Information Secretary, Chaudhry Munawar Anjum, said that the PPP has always respected and strengthened the judiciary and believed that they were being framed in politically-motivated cases.
“Former president Asif Ali Zardari faced 17 cases in the past and was acquitted by the courts,” he said, adding that the “PPP believes that the JIT report has been fabricated under the political influence to victimize its leaders. If the report is fabricated, we will go to the people”.
Anjum added that Prime Minister Imran Khan wanted to eliminate the PPP and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz to run an opposition-free government, turn the country into one unit, and impose civil martial law. “We always fight against non-democratic forces and will continue to do so,” he said.
Zardari’s lawyers to appear before SC in fake accounts case
Zardari’s lawyers to appear before SC in fake accounts case
- Top court expected to hand over investigation’s findings to former president’s legal team
- PPP official says move part of PM Khan’s plan to run an opposition-free government
Pakistan receives third batch of humanitarian aid from China for flood-hit communities
- Intense rains and floods this year killed more than 1,037 people, displaced millions and damaged crops on vast tracts in Pakistan
- The arrival of the latest consignment comes at a time when the onset of winter season has compounded problems of displaced people
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has received a third consignment of humanitarian assistance from China for flood-affected communities in the country, Pakistani state media reported on Friday.
Intense rains and floods this year killed more than 1,037 people and damaged crops worth billions of dollars in Pakistan, which ranks among nations most vulnerable to climate change.
The deluges displaced millions of people as they damaged more than 229,000 homes, washed away 2,811 kilometers of roads, 790 bridges and over 22,800 livestock in affected areas.
Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), which received the shipment, appreciated timely assistance by the Chinese government for disaster relief efforts in Pakistan.
“The shipment marks the continuation of China’s humanitarian support,” the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported. “It includes 100 boats, 5,000 tents, and 8,000 blankets.”
China has so far provided Pakistan with 33,000 blankets, 6,000 tents, 100 boats, 1,000 life jackets and 4,000 sleeping bags, according to the report.
The arrival of the latest consignment coincides with the onset of winter season, which has compounded the problems of displaced Pakistanis.
The NDMA reiterated its commitment to mobilize all available resources and ensure the provision of relief items in affected areas strictly in accordance with “ground needs and evolving situation assessments.”
