ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court on Monday reserved verdict on pre-arrest bail petitions filed by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and sister Faryal Talpur’s in two cases related to money laundering of billions through fake accounts.
A two-member bench comprising Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani and Justice Amir Farooq heard petitions seeking pre-arrest bail in mega money laundering and M/s Harish and Company cases. Zardari is accused of illegal awarding of a water supply contract to the private company – M/s Harish and Company.
It is pertinent to note that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has already issued arrest warrants for the former president in the mega money laundering case.
The cases are part of the investigations being conducted by NAB in pursuance of the Supreme Court’s verdict in the money laundering of billions through fake accounts case wherein it forwarded the joint investigation team (JIT) report with directions to investigate and file references.
Other suspects include Omni Group’s Anwar Majeed and his son Abdul Ghani Majeed, former Pakistan Stock Exchange chairperson Hussain Lawai, Summit Bank Senior Vice-President Taha Raza.
On May 14, the anti-corruption unit furnished details of inquiries, investigations and references in the fake accounts case. In the report, NAB listed down at least eight cases where Zardari’s link had been established. It further added that 22 inquiries and three investigations are underway while three references have been filed.