Fake accounts reference: Zardari could tamper with evidence, NAB tells IHC

ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Friday requested Islamabad High Court (IHC) to cancel interim bail of former president Asif Ali Zardari as he might tamper with record in fake bank account case.

NAB submitted its reply to the IHC in bail petition filed by the former president and Pakistan People’s Party Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari in fake bank accounts’ case. IHC on Wednesday extended former president Asif Ali Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur interim bail till April 29.

NAB in its reply opposed the interim bail of Zardari and stated if former president had not been taken in custody, he could have tampered with records in fake bank account case. “Zardari is not cooperating with the investigation team,” NAB said. NAB reply in IHC further alleged that Asif Ali Zardari had obtained Rs1.5 billion in loans for his Park Lane Company through other firms which is a fraud.

NAB reply further alleged that Asif Ali Zardari with the help of former PM Yusuf Raza Gilani illegally obtained three luxury bullet proof cars, two BMWs and one Toyota Lexus from Toshakhana, which were gifted by UAE and Libya governments.

The reply revealed that Zardari had paid duty/tax of Rs37.16 million of above mentioned vehicles through cheques, which were issued from the fake accounts. NAB told the court that Asif Ali Zardari is not cooperating with investigation team. Zardari’s interim bail should be cancelled, as he might tamper with the evidence in fake bank account case.

Earlier, former president Asif Ali Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur got bail from Islamabad High Court on March 28 against the surety bounds of Rs1 million each. In fake bank account case, two accused women Noreen and Kiran had requested the court to become approvers in the reference.

On April 8, AccountabilityCourt, Islamabad conducted first hearing into fake bank accounts case. In his bail petition former president and his sister nominated National Accountability Bureau (NAB) as respondent and requested the court to order NAB not to arrest them till the relevant accountability court takes up the case against them.

Zardari’s petition states that in order to safeguard himself from mala fide and illegal arrest at the hands of NAB and law enforcing agencies of the country and to enable him to surrender before the competent court of law, the NAB might be barred from arresting him.