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Two accused ready to become approver in fake accounts scam

Former president Asif Zardari and Faryal Talpur appeared before the accountability court today in fake accounts case.

By APP
April 08, 2019

ISLAMABAD: An Accountability Court Monday adjourned hearing on mega money laundering and fake accounts case till April 16, against former president Asif Ali Zardar, his sister Faryal Talpur and others.

During first hearing, the two accused woman Noreen and Kiran formally submitted a request to the court to become approvers in this reference.

Asif Zardari and his sister appeared before the Accountability Court-II Judge Arshad Malik amid foolproof security arrangements around the Judicial Complex Islamabad.

As the hearing began, Farooq H. Naik and Latif Khosa submitter power of attorney as legal counsels of Asif Zardari and Faryal Talpur.

The former president’s legal team suggested the court to grant their client exemption from hearing.

Farooq H. Naik pleaded that the trial proceeding would move smoothly if Zardari and Talpur were granted exemption from attendance.

The police personnel would do any other duty rather than providing security etc.

The accused’s counsel contended that the lawyers were stopped from entering the court premises.

Khosa argued that how they could assist the trial court if the lawyers face such problem.

He stated that there were more than 24 accused in this reference with additional strength of their lawyers and assistants.

Raja Rizwan Abbasi Advocate pleaded that such situation never occurred before.

At this judge remarked that he would make a mechanism keeping in view the small courtroom premises.

National Accountability Bureau (NAB)’s prosecutor Sardar Muzafar Abbasi objected that the defense counsels had occupied even the prosecution’s place.

The court summoned the accused one by one on rostrum to mark their attendances.

During hearing, the two accused women including Kiran and Noreen requested the judge to allow them for becoming approvers in this case.

They pleaded that they couldn’t bear the expenditures to pursue their case.

At this, the defense counsel opposed the request and added that at this stage the accused women couldn’t become approvers.

The women informed the court that they had already submitted an application to Chairman NAB in this regard.

On the direction of judge, the two women filed separate application to the court seeking permission to become approver against accused persons.

During hearing, the defense counsels also objected over investigation officer Muhammad Ali Abro’s role in the case and stated that he was doing same job with Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

NAB prosecutor said that Mr. Abro was just assisting the prosecution.

It may be mentioned here that a total of 14 accused including Asif Zardari and Talpur had appeared before the trial court in fake accounts case.

However, 16 accused remained absent from the court.

The NAB informed the court that the number of accused in this reference had reached to 30. The court summoned the absent accused on April 12, besides adjourning hearing of this case till April 16.