ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) rejected NAB’s appeals against acquittal of Pakistan Peoples’ Party co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari in four references. As court proceedings began, IHC Chief Justice, Athar Minallah remarked NAB has no case which is on merit. “This court has reminded you a number of times that your appeals are not on merit,” he added.

NAB proceeded expressed his agreement with CJ’s observation, saying, “Yes, this appeal of ours is not on merit. That’s why relevant authority has approved its withdrawal and now we have requested this court to let us take it back.” IHC CJ then inquired did NAB conduct any inquiry about where had case record gone? NAB prosecutor responded that Bureau had ordered an inquiry into issue. In a major development in 25-year-old cases against Asif Zardari, NAB had decided to take back appeals against acquittal of former President.

NAB in its application prayed to court that further prosecution of appeals will be a useless exercise. Available documentary evidence was not in accordance with legal evidence, it added. To make their latest move further formidable, NAB further prayed that they hardly had on record even photocopies of documents against Asif Zardari. Asif Zardari had been acquitted in four reference namely Ursus Tractors, ARY Gold, Polo Ground and SSG Cotecna. NAB had challenged PPP co-Chairperson’s acquittal in 2015.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 21 2022

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