'Next turn’ to form govt is of PPP, says Asif Ali Zardari

ISLAMABAD: PPP co-chairperson and former Pakistan president Asif Ali Zardari Thursday claimed that the next government in the country will be of his party.

During an interaction with the media persons after an appearance before an accountability court in Islamabad, Asif Ali Zardari said that the “next turn" to form a government in the country will be of the PPP.

"The accountability process will continue till the country’s economy does not come down further,” the PPP leader said while replying to a question.

‘Zardari cannot be indicted after new NAB ordinance’

Earlier, the former president appeared before an accountability court in Islamabad and filed an acquittal plea in a Rs8 billion suspicious transactions case.

During the proceeding, his counsel Farooq Hamid Naek argued that Zardari could not be indicted in the case after the new NAB ordinance.

“No allegation about harming the national exchequer has been levelled against my client in the case,” the lawyer said, adding that the case did not come under corruption and corrupt practices.

Hence, the accountability court has no jurisdiction to hear the case, argued the lawyer.

Zardari’s counsel said that an allegation relating to Rs150 million worth of registered sale deeds has been levelled against his client and, as per the case, the amount was paid through bank cheques.

He said that the bank cheques did not belong to Asif Ali Zardari.

“First of all, tell me whether this petition is admissible or not?” asked the judge.

The lawyer pleaded with the court to issue a notice to NAB and seek its reply and said he would then give his arguments on it.

Meanwhile, the judge reserved the verdict over the admissibility of the petition and said that he would announce his decision shortly.