ISLAMABAD   -  An accountability court on Tuesday granted pre-arrest bail to former president Asif Ali Zardari in New York City property inquiry initiated by National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

The order stated that the NAB couldn’t arrest Asif Ali Zardari at the inquiry stage of case. However, the bureau had to approach the court for his arrest if it wanted him during the inquiry stage.  AC-I Judge Muhammad Bashir reserved the decision earlier after listening arguments and later accepted the petition. Former president Asif Ali Zardari appeared before the court along with his counsel Farouk H. Naek.

At the outset of hearing, the petitioner’s lawyer said that the NAB had stated that no arrest warrants had been issued against his client so far. He, however, said that chairman NAB could issue arrest warrant at any stage of the inquiry.  The NAB’s prosecutor said the department had not issued arrest warrant against the accused. Zardari’s lawyer also submitted the medical reports of his client and requested the court to grant him permanent bail in the above case. Meanwhile, an Accountability Court on Tuesday adjourned hearing till February 1, on Nooriabad Power Project reference filed against Sindh Chief Minister Syed Sindh Murad Ali Shah. 

AC-III Judge Syed Asghar Ali heard the case filed by National Accountability Bureau (NAB).  Sindh’s CM appeared before the court along with his legal team. However, the co-accused and NAB investigation officer couldn’t attend the proceeding due to illness. 

Meanwhile, an Accountability Court (AC) on Tuesday adjourned hearing till January 18 on LNG reference against former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, ex-finance minister Miftah Ismail and others. AC-II Judge Muhammad Azam Khan adjourned the case without further proceeding due to absence of defence lawyers. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and other accused appeared before the judge who marked their attendances. 

The associate lawyer adopted the stance that they would conduct cross-examination of witnesses on next hearing and prayed the court to adjourn the case.