–NAB court turns down bail plea of Hussain Lawai
ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court on Tuesday granted interim bail to the former president in a case pertaining to allotment of illegal tenders in Sindh till June 13.
In his petition, the former president said that it was likely that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) might apprehend him when he appears before its team on May 23, hence, an interim bail must be approved.
NAB chief Javed Iqbal was made respondent in the petition.
The court granted bail to the former president and ordered him to furnish surety bonds amounting Rs1 million. The hearing was adjourned till June 13 and a notice was issued to the accountability watchdog.
‘FAKE ACCOUNTS CASE’:
Separately, Zardari along with his sister Faryal Talpur appeared before an accountability court in fake bank accounts case. Accountability Judge Arshad Malik heard the case against the brother-sister duo and other accused in the reference.
Hussain Lawai and Talha Raza were also presented before the court, while other accused, Anwar Majeed and Ghani Majeed were not showed up before the court.
During the hearing, an exemption plea was filed by Abdul Ghani Majeed through his counsel over worsening health issues. Senior counsel Farooq H. Naek raised reservation over presenting Hussain Lawai, handcuffed in the court and termed it as against the law.
Later his handcuffs were removed on the orders of the judge.
Lawai and Talha Raza’s counsel in his supporting arguments seeking bail for his clients said, they were arrested by the FIA and pleaded the court to release them against submission of surety bonds, as the accused are cooperating in the probe.
The NAB prosecutor opposed their bail pleas and said the case has been transferred to them by the FIA and investigation was underway.
After hearing arguments from both the sides, the court turned down bail pleas of Hussain Lawai and Talha Raza.
The court showing resentment over non-production of Anwar Majeed and Ghani Majeed issued a show cause notice to Sindh’s chief secretary and jail superintendent.
Later, the hearing was deferred until May 30.
Strict security measures were made during the court appearance of Asif Zardari, Faryal Talpur and other accused in the reference.
Asif Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari have already recorded their statement before NAB’s investigation team on March 20.
