ISLAMABAD: The Accountability Court hearing fake bank accounts case on Wednesday deferred indictment of former president Asif Ali Zardari and others in the supplementary reference in Park Lane case filed by the anti-graft body till September 17.

The Accountability Court Judge, Justice Muhammad Azam Khan, while hearing the case, deferred the indictment of the accused after Zardari filed an application through his counsel seeking acquittal in the supplementary reference.

Zardari, while wearing face mask and a face shield, appeared before the court along with his sister Faryal Talpur and daughter Aseefa Bhutto.

Some other party leaders also reached the court to show solidarity with their leader.

At the start of the hearing, Zardari's counsel Farooq H Naek filed an application before the court seeking acquittal of his client in the supplementary reference filed by the NAB in the connection with Park Lane reference. He also sought time from the court for arguments.

Sardar Muzaffer Abbasi, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Deputy Prosecutor General, while objecting to Zardari's fresh application, said that we are ready for arguments over Zardari's application.

During the hearing, the counsel for the other accused said that the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) police had made the whole city a hostage.

They were stopped by the police at different barricades, and faced difficulties, while reaching the court.

The judge said that a list of the accused and counsel had been forwarded to the police to avoid difficulties.

At this, a counsel told the court that despite presence of his name in the list, he was stopped at police barricades.

The judge said that a list of lawyers and accused was given to the administration due to limited space in the courtroom.

Naek told the court that the court should only allow relevant people to the courtroom during the hearing.

He further said that the court should also restrict entry of media persons into the courtroom, and not allow irrelevant people.

The court after hearing arguments adjourned hearing of the case till September 17.

The NAB has filed supplementary reference against Zardari and others on August 18. Those who are nominated by the NAB in the supplementary reference included Zardari, Muhammad Iqbal Memon, director Park Lane Company, M/s Park Lane Estate Private Limited, Muhammad Iqbal Khan Noori, director M/s Parthenon (Pvt) Ltd, Muhammad Hanif Accountant M/s Park Lane Estate, M/s Parthenon (Private) Limited, an incorporated entity bearing certificate of incorporation under the provision of the Companies Ordinance, 1984, and Hussain Lawai.

The other accused included Abdul Ghani Majid, shareholder/director Regent Service (Pvt) Ltd multiple companies known as OMNI group, Anwar Majid, shareholder director OMNI group, Taha Raza, relationship manager Arif Habib Bank now Summit Bank, Farooq Abdullah area branch manager HBL, Uzair Naeem, former AVP Summit Bank, M/s Tracom (Pvt) Ltd through GM south, an incorporated entity bearing certificate of incorporation under the provision of the companies office, Muhammad Saleem Faisal general manger (GM) M/s Tracom (Private) Limited, and Zahir Ismail.

According to the NAB, Zardari and others had allegedly embezzled funds obtained for M/S Parthenon (Private) Limited and M/S Park Lane Private Limited, which inflicted losses of Rs 3.77 billion to the national exchequer.

According to the joint investigation team (JIT), Park Lane Estate Company, a Karachi-based firm, was incorporated on October 18, 1979.

In 1989, Zardari acquired the company along with his "front man" Iqbal Memon.

In 2009, Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Iqbal Memon, and others became shareholders of the company.

As per the JIT report, it was found out that the M/S Parthenon was merely a "front company" (straw borrower) of M/s Park Lane Private Limited.

M/s Parthenon had no independent business when it entered into a joint venture (JV) with the M/S Park Lane (October 2009), it said.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020