JIT holds Zardari, Omni Group responsible in money laundering case

The Joint Investigation Team (JIT) has held Pakistan Peoples Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and Omni Group responsible in money-laundering through fake accounts case.

A two-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar, heard the suo motu case at the SC's Lahore registry. The SC has issued a notice to Zardari and summoned his reply on December 31. The SC has also directed to confiscate the properties of the Omni Group.

Speaking to the media, Zardari's lawyer said that they had requested the court to submit them the JIT's report. The lawyer said that the SC had fixed the next hearing on December 31.

Earlier, as the hearing commenced, the chief justice said that the report submitted by the JIT will be played on the projector in the court. The JIT in its findings revealed that the money laundered through the fake accounts were used to pay for the 'personal expenses' of Zardari. The report also revealed that for the upkeep of Bilawal House's pets and sacrificial goats, the payment was made through fake accounts.

The CJP expressed his ire at Omni Group Chairman Anwar Majeed, saying that the group had looted billions of the nation's wealth and were still doing mischief. He added that it seems like Anwar has not lost his moral superiority. The CJP contended that there will be no mercy for Anwar. "It seems that he will have to be shifted elsewhere from Adiala Jail," the chief justice remarked.

A banking court has already extended the interim bail of Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur till January 7. The banking court has extended the siblings' bail for the fourth time.