KARACHI: Former president Asif Ali Zardari said on Tuesday that the mini-budget announced by the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf government was a ‘mini drama’. He made these remarks after he and his sister Faryal Talpur appeared before a banking court in a case pertaining to money laundering through benami bank accounts. Talking to media in the court, he also commented on recent escalation of hostilities between Pakistan and India. He said that the incumbent government had failed to maintain ties between the eastern neighbour. Stringent security measures were made on the occasion to avoid any untoward situation. Earlier, a session court in Karachi had declared Zardari and Talpur absconders in the case, while Omni Group Chairman Anwar Majeed along with his son Abdul Ghani were arrested from Supreme Court (SC). The money laundering case involves alleged transfer of Rs35 billion abroad through benami accounts. Hussain Lawai, the chairman of Pakistan Stock Exchange, and his associates are accused of opening 29 accounts in the Summit Bank and United Bank Limited in Pakistan. The report prepared by the FIA claims that more than 10 political personalities were allegedly involved in transactions worth Rs35 billion. Published in Daily Times, September 26th 2018.