Khudayar Mohla –
While urging Islamabad High Court on Friday to dismiss interim bails granted to former President Asif Ali Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur in fake accounts matter the top anti-graft body alleged that Zardari in connivance with former prime minister and fellow party leader Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, illegally obtained three luxury bullet-proof cars, two BMWs and one Toyota Lexus from the Toshakhana (the state gift repository), which were gifted by the governments of UAE and Libya.
Besides, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) claimed that Zardari paid Rs37.16 million as duty/tax on the said vehicles through cheques, issued from the fake accounts in question.
Submitting reply before the IHC in response to the court directive over interim bails on Friday, the NAB made it clear that the Bureau was taking action against Zardari within legal boundaries and investigation was underway against the former president in accordance with NAB ordinance.
It is worth mentioning that on April 10 when the IHC had extended interim bails to Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur till April 29 in fake account case, the IHC has issued directives to the NAB to furnish details of ongoing and pending inquiries against the PPP leader.
Top NAB said in its reply, “All the proceedings were taken in accordance with law and there is absolutely no violation of fundamental rights of petitioner, he had been given complete opportunity vide call up notice to clarify allegations levelled against him.”
“There is no statutory provision provided in the law whereby NAB is bound to inform or notice before arrest hence this petition is liable to be dismissed,” submitted the Bureau.
It also stated that the petitioner had misled this court and abused the process of law. “The inquiries/ investigations pertaining to the fake bank accounts scam are being conducted by the NAB on the directions of Supreme Court of Pakistan and not with any predetermined mined. During the proceedings of inquiries/ investigations, whenever any person is found having knowledge, information or any kind of nexus with the case, he is called upon through call-up notice and he is duly informed about his role and connection with the matter. Therefore, the petitioner is not entitled to seek any information about the pending inquiries other than those in which he has been issued call-up notice,” maintained the NAB reply.
Therefore, the petition of Zardari seeking bail may be dismissed in the interest of justice, the NAB prayed to the IHC.
