Fake accounts case: FIA summons Zardari, Faryal for the fourth time

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has summoned former president Asif Ali Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur in fake accounts case. This is the fourth time the FIA has issued summons to the sibling duo.

Mr. Zardari and Ms Talpur have so far not appeared before the FIA despite three previous orders.

The FIA says it will take the two politicians to the court if they do not appear this time.

The agency had first summoned Mr. Zardari and Ms Talpur on July 10, while second summon was issued on July 28, third on August 4 and now the fourth has been issued asking them to appear on August 27.

In response to the first summon, the former president and his sister requested FIA through their counsel to reschedule their appearance after the elections since they were busy canvassing for the elections concluded that week.

Zardari and his sister were among over a dozen suspects declared absconders in the money-laundering scam.

In the FIA list, Anwar Majeed and his son’s names appeared on top of the list while those of Zardari and Talpur were on the 19th and 20th number, respectively.

According to the FIR registered by FIA, transactions of billions of rupees were made into suspicious accounts, including the one owned by the PPP leaders, the Zardari Group, which is accused of receiving Rs 15 million of the laundered money.

Two days after being declared an absconder in a money-laundering scam, Faryal Talpur obtained pre-arrest bail from the Sindh High Court.

Ms Talpur filed a petition in the SHC Larkana circuit bench seeking pre-arrest bail.

In December 2016, the Pakistan Rangers conducted raids at the Karachi office of the Omni Group of Companies and the residence of its owner Anwar Majeed, a close aid of Zardari, and confiscated record allegedly related with money laundering.