A banking court on Tuesday further extended interim bail to former president Asif Ali Zardari and his sister, Faryal Talpur till December 10 in a money laundering case. The Pakistan Peoples Party co-chairman and his sister appeared before a baking court in Karachi in connection to a case pertaining to money laundering of billions through fictitious bank accounts.
Former Pakistan Stock Exchange Chairman Hussain Lawai, Omni Group Chief Anwar Majeed and his son Nimr Majeed were also present in the court. During a brief hearing, the judge granted extension to the PPP leaders, however, the hearing was adjourned till December 10 without any proceeding.
The money laundering case is also being probed by a joint investigation team formed by the Supreme Court. The FIA is investigating 32 people in relation to money laundering from fictitious accounts, including Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur. Zardari's close aide former Pakistan Stock Exchange Chairman Hussain Lawai was arrested in July in connection with the probe.
The former president's other close aide and Omni Group chairman Anwar Majeed and his son, Abdul Ghani, were also arrested by FIA in August. Majeed's three other sons have been granted interim bail. Over 20 'benami' accounts at some 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 said to be black money gathered from various kickbacks, commissions and bribes. Earlier, a session court in Karachi had declared former president Asif Ali Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur absconders in the case while main accused Omni Group Chairman Anwar Majeed along with his son Abdul Ghani were arrested from Supreme Court (SC).
Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had prepared a report, revealing that more than 10 political personalities were allegedly involved in fictitious transactions worth Rs35 billion. The agency accused Asif Ali Zardari, Talpur and their associates of sending the money abroad through fake accounts after which, their names were placed on Exit Control List (ECL).