Fake accounts case: Zardari, Faryal bail extended till March 5

KARACHI: A banking court here on Thursday extended the interim pre-arrest bail of former president Asif Ali Zardari, his sister Faryal Talpur and nine other suspects till March 5 in an ongoing money laundering case.

The former president and his sister along with other suspects appeared before the court as the interim bail granted to them earlier ended Thursday.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) investigation prosecutor told the court there is no justification to hear the bail petitions of the suspects. To this, the defence counsel Farooq H Naek said, it is their (FIA) responsibility to submit a final challan. As the hearing was going on, the bench questioned Investigation officer Muhammad Ali Abro regarding the progress of the case, As per Supreme Court orders, they are transferring this case to National Accountability Bureau (NAB), the investigation officer responded.

However, the defence counsel said there is no such order given by SC that a NAB reference be filed. The court then remarked, the prosecutor should either submit a challan or a petition to transfer the case. At this, the FIA prosecutor said, the record is being transferred and they are in touch with the NAB officials.

Further, the investigation officer told the court that during all hearings he had requested for time to submit a final challan. On Jan 23, the court had extended the bail of the PPP leaders till Feb 14 in the money laundering case.

Zardari and Talpur are facing a probe into the money laundering scam involving over Rs35 billion laundered through fake bank accounts. Zardari’s close aides Hussain Lawai and Anwar Majeed are also being investigated in the scandal. They both are in custody.

After hearing arguments from both parties, the court accepted Naek’s request for an extension in pre-arrest bail application of his client. The court then adjourned the hearing till 5th March.