Daily Times

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has summoned former president Asif Ali Zardari on May 16 in relation to Haresh and Company case, which is part of the ongoing investigation in the fake accounts and money laundering case.

According to NAB sources, the company in question had taken the project of water supply to the Sindh government; however, the Haresh and Company’s account was used for bearing expenses of Naudero House.

Earlier, the NAB prepared its response in the fake bank accounts and money laundering case against Zardari and his subsequent bail petition.

According to sources, the list of cases and inquiries has been submitted by the accountability watchdog in the Islamabad High Court.

The NAB further said that investigation against Zardari in Nooriabad Power Plant Project, Thatta and Dadu Sugar Mills was underway, while four references had already been submitted against the former president in the accountability court.

The sources said that 22 inquiries in the fake bank accounts case were underway against Zardari, while he had obtained bail in five cases.

It is pertinent to mention here that Zardari’s bail from the Islamabad High Court is going to expire on May 15.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is investigating more than 30 people in relation to money laundering from fictitious accounts, including Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur. Zardari’s close aide Hussain Lawai was arrested in July 2018 in connection with the probe.

The former president’s other close aide and Omni Group Chairman Anwar Majeed and his son, Abdul Ghani, were arrested by the FIA in August 2018.

Several ‘benami’ accounts at multiple private banks were opened in 2013, 2014 and 2015 from where transactions worth billions of rupees were made, according to sources.

The amount, according to FIA sources, is suspected to be black money gathered from various kickbacks, commissions and bribes.