The Islamabad accountability court indicted former president Asif Ali Zardari and his co-accused in the Park Lane reference.
Accountability court judge Muhammad Azam Khan heard the Park Lane reference. Earlier, the indictment had been announced several times but the indictment could not be issued.
During the hearing, the co-chairmen of Pakistan Peoples Party appeared from Bilawal House in Karachi through video link while the accused present in Karachi Registrar's Office also appeared through video link.
Former President Asif Ali Zardari said in the hearing through video link that you cannot charge me in the absence of my lawyer.
The court told him that we will ask you about just two allegations to which Asif Zardari said that but my lawyer will give the answer, I have been facing cases for 30 years, I have an idea of the court proceedings.
On which the court remarked that then you should not object.
On this occasion, the NAB prosecutor suggested that all their petitions be rejected with heavy fines.
Asif Zardari said that my lawyer is present in the Supreme Court, he is not present here today so no indictment should be made.
On which the judge said that Farooq H Naik would definitely be busy in the Supreme Court but could have sent Junior.
The judge further said that the accused must be in the charge frame, the charge frame is in English, I hope you will understand.
Asif Zardari once again said that 30 years have passed while facing cases, you give me rolling.
On which Judge Azam Khan said that the court will give a ruling, we will write in the court order that your lawyer was not present, now it is up to you whether you believe or deny.
The co-defendants in the Park Lane reference raised objections to the indictment, but the court rejected the plea to adjourn the indictment.
The court remarked, "What have you been doing so far?" Were you looking forward to that day We cannot defer indictment.
On this occasion, Iqbal Noori's lawyer said that my clients are in jail and they were not allowed to meet him. The court is requested to allow him to meet accused Iqbal Noori.
On which Judge Azam Khan said that today the accused are charged then you should meet.
Apart from them, the lawyer of accused Taha Raza also sought permission to meet his client and said that Taha Raza has also filed a plea for acquittal. We tried to meet him repeatedly but the meeting was not allowed.
The lawyer further said that we have to talk to the client only about the crime, my position is that there can be no charge frame on my client.
Later, Judge Azam Khan read out the indictment against former President Asif Ali Zardari.
The court asked whether you committed fraud by obtaining an illegal loan of Rs 1.5 billion through the front company Parthenon. Former President Asif Ali Zardari pleaded not guilty, but the court indicted former President Asif Ali Zardari.
The co-accused in the Park Lane reference, Sher Ali, Mohammad Saleem Faisal and Farooq Abdullah, Mohammad Hanif and Taha Raza, also pleaded not guilty.
It may be recalled that Asif Ali Zardari is accused of being involved in loan extension and misuse through M / s Parthenon Pvt. Ltd., M / s Park Lane State Pvt. Ltd. and others.
On the other hand, Asif Ali Zardari, his sister Faryal Talpur and others are also facing charges of corruption through fake bank accounts and embezzlement in financing for Park Lane Pvt Ltd and Parthenon Pvt Ltd.
On July 4, 2019, the NAB Executive Board meeting approved the filing of a reference against former President Asif Ali Zardari and others on allegations of corruption.
"The accused are accused of embezzling funds from Parthenon Pvt. Ltd., Park Lane Pvt. Ltd. and embezzlement through fake bank accounts, which allegedly cost the national exchequer Rs. Crores were damaged.
