ISLAMABAD: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) approached Islamabad High Court (IHC) to withdraw appeals against PPP co-chairperson and former President Asif Ali Zardari's acquittal in four references, which are scheduled for hearing today.

NAB, in its application, stated that only photocopies of documents are on record in references against Zardari; therefore, further prosecution is impossible.

NAB has submitted four separate petitions in IHC to withdraw appeals against Zardari's acquittal by accountability court in SGS, Cotecna, Ursus Tractors and ARY Gold References, which state that only photocopies of documents are on record against former President.

NAB also mentioned that available documents are not in accordance with law of evidence. It stated that further prosecution on appeals is an impossible task therefore, to meet requirements of justice, court should allow NAB to withdraw appeals against Zardari's acquittals.

After hearing of reference was completed, accountability court ordered to acquit Zardari and also approved NAB's petition to withdraw appeals against his acquittal simultaneously.

With regard to two cases ARY Gold reference and Ursus Tractors filed in years 2000 and 2001 accountability court issued its verdict to acquit PPP co-chair on December 12, 2014. This case was initially created in 1998. Zardari was also acquitted by accountability court in Cotecna and SGS reference on November 24, 2015.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 20 2022

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