Court says evidence against former president not sufficient for further proceedings
An accountability court on Wednesday acquitted former president Asif Ali Zardari in the Polo Ground corruption reference.
The court announced the verdict saying the accused had not been proven guilty so far. It further stated that evidence against the former president was not sufficient for further proceedings.
This reference builds upon the construction of a polo ground along with ancillary works at the Prime Minister House, which NAB says are illegal and in violation of the rights and privileges that were afforded to Zardari.
In February, the court had reserved its judgment on the application of the former president seeking acquittal in the corruption reference.
The reference filed in 2000 alleged that the polo ground at the Prime Minister House was constructed during the second tenure of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto on the verbal orders of her husband Asif Ali Zardari to CDA chairmen Saeed Mehdi and Shafi Sehwani at an estimated cost of Rs 52.29 million.
The NAB in the reference nominated the two former CDA chairmen as the principal accused. It was alleged that both the former CDA chiefs got sheds constructed and carried out landscaping in a portion of the Prime Minister House and converted it into a polo ground.
The other references filed against Zardari are:
SGS: This corruption case is the continuance of a reference filed in 1997 that accused the late Benazir Bhutto and her spouse Zardari to have gained off a contract between the SGS and the government.
ARY: This reference revolves around granting of trade licenses to ARY Traders for importing gold and silver which NAB says has caused losses to the treasury.
Ursus tractors: This reference deals with alleged corruption during the import of Russian and Polish tractors.
Cotecna: This case is about the award of a contract to the Swiss company after allegedly receiving six per cent bribe on the revenue proceeds.
