ISLAMABAD: An accountability court in Islamabad on Monday summoned former President Asif Ali Zardari on December 23 as it adjourned the hearing of five National Accountability Court (NAB) references against former President.
Zardari completed his five-year term on September 8, becoming the first democratically-elected president in the 66-year history of Pakistan. During his tenure as head of the state, Zardari enjoyed immunity, therefore, the hearing of these cases could not be held in any court.
The cases which were reopened by the NAB include: ARY Gold reference, SGS-cotecna, polo ground reference, Ursus tractors case and asset case.
On Monday, the former president did not appear before the court judge Muhammad Bashir who was hearing the cases and it was likely that Zardari would be indicted in one of the references today.
However, Farooq H Naek, the counsel of former president, turned up and apprised the judge that his client did not appear in the court over security reasons. He told the court that Zardari would appear in next hearing with appropriate security.
It is expected that the former president will be indicted on next hearing in polo ground reference case.
Later, the hearing was adjourned till December 23.
