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May 20, 2008
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Tuesday
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Jamadi-ul-Awwal 14, 1429
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Zardari acquitted in drugs case
By Our Reporter
LAHORE, May 19: The last case against Pakistan People’s Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari came to an end here on Monday when an additional sessions judge cleared him of charges of drug trafficking.
The case was registered against Mr Zardari in 1998.
The judge, Ijaz Hussain Awan, also acquitted the main accused, Arif Baloch, for lack of evidence.
Mr Zardari’s counsel Sardar Latif Khan Khosa argued that the case was fabricated and built on complaints of policemen.
He said complainant Aashiq Marth had admitted that Ehtesab Bureau chairman Saifur Rehman had pressurised him to become the plaintiff.
The counsel said other investigating officers, including former SSP of Karachi Khalid Mushtaq, also said that they had been made to sign blank papers.
State counsel Aazar Latif Khan admitted there was no evidence to suggest that Mr Zardari was involved in drug peddling. “Not a single prosecution witness out of seven gave any statement against the accused. I will have no objection if the court accepts the acquittal plea of the accused.”
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