ISLAMABAD, Dec 14: An accountability court on Friday rejected the request of jailed PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari to celebrate Eidul Fitr in Karachi along with his parents.

Judge Mansoor Ali Khan of the accountability court no II dismissed the application of Mr Zardari for want of jurisdiction.

Farooq H. Naek advocate, while pleading the case, stated that Mr Zardari should be allowed to celebrate the Eid with his parents on humanitarian grounds as both were very old and sick as they had not met their son for the last many years.

Mr Naek said that Ms Bilqees, the mother of Mr Zardari was sick and old besides his father Hakim Ali Zardari was house arrest. “Therefore, they cannot come all the way to Islamabad from Karachi to meet Mr Zardari who is under treatment in the Pakistan institute of medical sciences (PIMS).

Mr Zardari is facing three corruption references in the Rawalpindi accountability courts including Pakistan Steel mills case, ARY Gold reference and SGS pre-shipment inspection contract reference.

When the judge observed that he did not have the jurisdiction to decide the matter, the counsel said “though the powers to this effect has not been clearly stated by the legislature, the same has also not taken away. And when the law is silent about some powers, presumption is always drawn in positive direction. Therefore, the court should exercise this power.”