ISLAMABAD -The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Wednesday granted bail to former president Asif Ali Zardari in a matter pertaining to laundering of billions of rupees through fake bank accounts.
A division bench of IHC comprising Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani granted the bail to Zardari on medical grounds after hearing arguments of the PPP co-chairman’s lawyer Farooq H Naek and NAB prosecutor Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi.
During the hearing, Naek contended before the court that his client is unable to appear in court due to his ailing health. He said that Zardari had to be hospitalised on January 10 after his health worsened.
At this, Justice Farooq asked from the NAB prosecutor about the status of the case. Abbasi apprised the IHC bench that a reference in the case has not been filed as yet. He added that it is at the stage of investigation. The prosecutor said that Zardari had not yet given his reply to a call-up notice given to him in 2019.
The PPP co-chair’s counsel informed the court that his client had been on remand for a period of two months. He added that the bureau’s investigation officer could have questioned him during the said time.
He further said that his client was still ready to be questioned.
At this, Justice Kayani asked from the NAB prosecutor that if he had any objections on the medical report or does he deem it as fake.
He also asked whether the petitioner will leave the country following the bail. Responding to this, Naek said that his client’s name is in the Exit Control List (ECL) so he cannot go abroad.