Nawaz’s domicile is better than mine: Zardari

ISLAMABAD: In a thinly veiled assertion that he is being treated unfairly due to his ethnicity, former president Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday remarked that PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif's domicile is “better” than his.

Speaking outside the Islamabad High Court (IHC), where he had appeared for a bail hearing against his wishes, Zardari was asked to give his opinion on whether the laws were different for him and the PML-N leader.

To this, he simply said, "Mian Sahab's domicile is better than mine". He was referring to underlying resentment among Pakistan's smaller ethno-linguistic groups against the dominant Punjabi ethnic group. Zardari had been told to show up in person for the hearing even though his counsel had pleaded that he was not required to do so due to his ill health.

When asked whether he would advise Nawaz to return to Pakistan, the PPP stalwart said he would not give anyone any advice, but if someone wants to, they can.

While answering questions from media outside the court Asif Ali Zardari said that same thing would happen in the Kashmir election that had been happening always. He was of the view that PPP was a solid party and they had been fighting in Kashmir for 50 to 60 years.

Responding to a question whether he was heading to reconciliation or resistance, the former president replied that PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was the commander of anti-government movement. He stated that Bilawal was not going to America on some visit, he was going there to attend a conference.

Earlier, Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday granted interim bail to former president Asif Ali Zardari till July 28 and stopped National Accountability Bureau (NAB) from arresting him in inquiry pertaining to his property in New York City (NYC).

The court granted bail to him against surety bonds worth Rs0.5 million. The bench also sought the comments from NAB till next date against the pre-arrest bail petition. The bench announced the decision after listening arguments from the petitioner's lawyer Farooq H. Naek.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari tweeted: “My father got on flight from hospital to Islamabad for court today. He was in court 8 days ago too. Not an absconder or traitor or terrorist. Not convicted of anything. On ECL without dispute but punishment parade for civilian who gave democracy continues despite global pandemic.”