Fake accounts case: Physical remand of Zardari extended till July 2

The Accountability Court hearing multi-billion rupee fake bank accounts case Friday extended physical remand of former President Asif Ali Zardari till July 02. The officials of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) produced Zardari, who was arrested by the anti-graft body on June 10, before Accountability Court Judge Muhammad Arshad Malik following the expiry of his remand term.
Deputy Prosecutor General NAB Sardar Muzaffar Abbasi produced Zardari's medical report as well as progress report of investigation. When Abbasi started informing the court about the progress report of investigation, Zardari came to the rostrum. Abbasi asked, "Does the accused want to say something?" Zardari's counsel Farooq H Naek told him that Zardari has come to the rostrum to listen to him (Abbasi).
The judge said the prosecutor wanted to inform the court what they had uncovered so far. To this, Zardari's counsel Latif Khosa said the NAB had not found out anything, adding they were just making up stories because the entire case was based upon assumptions. Abbasi replied that they were not making stories but "we are sharing what has been surfaced during investigations."
He said that during the investigation, Zardari had admitted to having a close relationship with an accused namely Nasir Abdullah. However, Zardari denied that Abdullah was his front man, he said. Khosa said, "The cases are being made against us on political basis. This is injurious to the growth of democracy. This has not happened with us for the first time as it had happened in the past as well."
The former president said, "Don't worry Khosa Sahib, this judge is very honest and would make a right decision." Khosa said, "We have complete faith in the independence of judiciary." Abbasi requested the court to extend physical remand of the accused for another 14 days. Zardari said to the court to grant 90 days remand at once instead of granting 14 days remand. Defence Counsel while objecting to NAB's request said that the accused Abdullah in his statement said that he knew Zardari but had no financial dealing with Zardari. He added that it was not a crime to know a person.
The court reserved its order for some time and later announced extension in physical remand for another 11 days. The NAB team left the court with the former president after the court's decision. The city police put security on high alert on the occasion and deployed heavy contingents of police in and outside of court as well as along the road leading to the court.