Zardari not to appear before SC today: Farhatullah Babar

ISLAMABAD: Heightened security measures were put in place at the Supreme Court on Thursday over expected appearance of former president Asif Ali Zardari in a money-laundering case, however senior leader of the Pakistan People’s Party Farhatullah Babar informed that the PPP chairman will not appear before the court today.

Babar says no notice has been received asking Mr. Zardari to appear before court in person. The lawyers are currently looking into the matter, he said.

The legal advisor of former president Zardari, Senator Farooq H Naek will represent him in the apex court. Mr. Naek briefed Zardari on the legality of the issue and informed that as per law, representation could be made through a lawyer in the SC as the court didn’t ask for personal presence.

The counsel also, according to reports, said Zardari’s appearance in court will depend on the nature of today’s proceedings.

The Supreme Court on July 9 summoned Zardari, his sister Faryal Talpur and others in a case relating to a Rs 35 billion money-laundering scam.

However, PPP leader Aitzaz Ahsan on Tuesday evening said his party’s co-chairman had no connection with the Rs 35 billion money laundering case.

Addressing a press conference alongside party leaders Sherry Rehman and Farhatullah Babar, Mr. Ahsan said the FIA notice pasted outside Bilawal House only demands explanation about a Rs 15 million cheque credited into Asif Ali Zardari group’s account not money laundering as reported by a section of media.

“We also reject this allegation (about the Rs 15 million cheque) and will defend it in the court but the impression being given to public about some Rs 35 billion scam is entirely wrong as the matter upon which Zardari and Faryal Talpur’s names were put on ECL involves only Rs 15 million, an allegation (PPP co-chairman’s counsel) Farooq Naik will refute at any suitable platform,” he added.

On Tuesday, FIA officials pasted notices at the entrance of Bilawal House and Ms Talpur’s house in Karachi’s DHA, asking the PPP leaders to appear before an investigation team.

The notices, according to the officials, were pasted outside their houses after their staff refused to receive them.