An accountability court on Friday re-opened five National Accountability Bureau (NAB) references against former President Asif Ali Zardari and issued a notice to him to submit his response within two weeks. Sources in NAB said accountability court judge Bashir Ahmad reopened reference against former President Zardari and also issued notice to NAB prosecutor to submit a report to the court within 14 days in this regard.
The court also sought a response from Zardari within two weeks. The court notice also stated that Zardari's immunity to trial has ended, according to sources. They said the references against the former President include: the alleged kickbacks from SGS PSI Company, grant of licence to ARY Gold causing a huge loss to national exchequer, illegal gratification and undue pecuniary advantage in the form of commission in the purchase of URSUS tractors under the Awami Tractor Scheme, illegal award of contract to Cotecna for pre-shipment, assets beyond means and illegal construction of a polo ground at PM's House, they said.
They said the references against former President Zardari were adjourned due to constitutional immunity when he was elected President of Pakistan. All co-accused in the reference, except Zardari, have already been acquitted, sources said. The then President Pervez Musharraf had withdrew in 2007 all cases against Zardari under National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO). The Supreme Court had later annulled the NRO and reopened all corruption cases against Zardari. NAB sources said new NAB chief Chaudhry, while presiding over a meeting after assuming charge said that he would not accept any pressure in the performance of his duty to eradicate corruption. Zaman said that all resources would be utilized to eliminate the menace of corruption. The accountability would be carried out across the board, irrespective of political affiliations, the NAB chief was quoted as saying.
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