Accountability court reopens assets reference against Zardari

E-Paper | May 03, 2026

ISLAMABAD: An accountability court in Rawalpindi on Friday initiated proceedings against former president Asif Ali Zardari in an assets reference.

Also read: Corruption cases against Zardari reopened

Accountability court judge Raja Ikhlaq Hussain heard a petition by Special Prosecutor Raja Khurram Ejaz which he had filed on behalf of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Chairman Qamar Zaman Chaudhry.

The application said that Zardari's immunity had ended with the termination of his presidential tenure on Sept 8, 2013, and requested that the assets reference against him be reopened.

The name of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto — who was a co-accused in the case — was eliminated from the reference following her death in 2007.

Approving the application, the court ordered Zardari to appear before it on April 27 and subsequently adjourned the matter to the said date.

The assets reference was initiated against Zardari and Benazir in 2001 during the tenure of former military ruler Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf but its hearing was adjourned indefinitely in 2010.

In 2002, Zardari had challenged the assets reference, which pertains to the former president's movable and immovable property in Pakistan and abroad.

In the assets reference, the prosecution alleged that Zardari had purchased a number of properties in the name of his frontmen and had deposited the money from kickbacks in different Swiss banks.

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Khan Chacha

Apr 17, 2015 12:48pm

Great News. Naya Pakistan backed by army. I for one will support their actions to convict some high profile personalities and make them examples. Zero tolerance for such people.

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Kamal Pasha.

Apr 17, 2015 12:57pm

These cases against Zardari have been opened and closed so many times that even prosecutor is fed up with these cases. Hope this time everybody is serious.

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Anarchist

Apr 17, 2015 01:50pm

Not even one high profile person has ever been convicted or held accountable by this farce called NAB.

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Umer Ali

Apr 17, 2015 02:16pm

This man in real is billionare. How come he earned this much money considering he was a son of an ordinary cinema owner. There are lots and lots of questions but nobody dare to ask him b/c somehow there is a very big mukma going along. This nation wants justice to be prevailed now.

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responsible

Apr 17, 2015 02:17pm

Is it due to Judicial Commission. Why they wake very late? Big question mark on Govt. and NAB.

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Tariq Mahmood

Apr 17, 2015 02:29pm

This represents a litmus test to the often proclaimed progress and maturity of Pakistan law and order. If we see this investigation to its conclusion without AZ somehow throwing another spanner in the works, then this will undoubtedly, breed confidence in the NAB.

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Muhammad Farooq

Apr 17, 2015 02:42pm

Thank you NAB for this breaking news. Eventually nothing will happen if the past is any indicator of future.

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Apr 17, 2015 02:47pm

I long for the day when politicians would be punished for what they did to this country

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Truth

Apr 17, 2015 02:54pm

Another eyewash as before. Nothing is going to happen. Our leaders manage very well to remain immune despite massive corruption by our elite including these leaders. Among others, one simple reason is that the NAB Chief is appointed as a collusion between the PM and the Leader of Opposition, practically leaving zero scope for prosecution of these political elite - accountability Pakistan style galore.

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Anwar

Apr 17, 2015 02:56pm

All cases were buried under NRO umbrella. It is better to move forward and bring transparency in the system to eradicate corruption from the system.

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Pakistani by Heart

Apr 17, 2015 03:11pm

Please take action against all politicians and burocrates too.

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Shakil

Apr 17, 2015 03:16pm

Re opened? to close it for good? everything should means business but highly doubt it when sharifs are in power! NAB is not independent .

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Amanullah Khan

Apr 17, 2015 03:30pm

Nothing will happen. All the available evidences would have been destroyed long ago during the tenure of PPP.

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Concerned Citizen

Apr 17, 2015 03:33pm

Here we go again .... Better luck this time ....

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Hsnsi

Apr 17, 2015 03:35pm

Our politicians, bureaucrats, judges, businessman and those in uniform need ruthless but fair accountability if Pakistan is to progress. They have coined strange terminology like plea bargain to cover their corruption.

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Aziz

Apr 17, 2015 03:58pm

Pakistanis should soon expect a doctor's certificate stating AZ is mentally incapable of standing trial. Just like in London

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Usman Ahmad

Apr 17, 2015 03:58pm

This is how to fool Pakistani masses and stay in the media lime light to show that their job is worth while and they are doing some thing for the country.What a waste. Another eyewash as before. Nothing is going to happen. Our leaders manage very well to remain immune despite massive corruption by our elite including these leaders. Among others, one simple reason is that the NAB Chief is appointed as a collusion between the PM and the Leader of Opposition, practically leaving zero scope for prosecution of these political elite - accountability Pakistan style galore.

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Apr 17, 2015 04:09pm

Please no drama this time. Wasted enough time & money.

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Factual

Apr 17, 2015 04:14pm

Prelude to NRO 2.0?!

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KeyPoints

Apr 17, 2015 04:14pm

Too many little fishes, but no 'Big Fish' ever caught in the net? Wonder if they need a bigger net?

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Owais Mangal

Apr 17, 2015 04:22pm

I suspect that this case is reopened to give it a clean closure like other cases. Hope not.

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PATRIOT

Apr 17, 2015 04:24pm

“Zardari’s immunity had ended with the termination of his presidential tenure on Sep 08,2013” why NAB officials were sleeping on this case. Those responsible should also be brought to justice. There should be severe punishment for the collaborators including termination of their services with cause without payment of any severance benefits.

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nadeem tahir

Apr 17, 2015 04:26pm

why just blame the leaders when corruption is at every level and every agency and is an accepted way of life. And the so called religious people are among the most crooked and corrupt.

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Shafi-Baig

Apr 17, 2015 04:29pm

who is going to account whom?The whole system is corrupt.Please do not joke with the poor people of Pakistan. God help Pakistan.

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Apr 17, 2015 05:09pm

Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe.

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Rogers Evans

Apr 17, 2015 05:31pm

Nothing is going to happen against Zardari during PM Nawaz term. If PM does any thing against Zardari, he will be in the similar trouble, once he is out of office. They are all one and same. These cases are for show business which makes them stronger. PAKISTAN " ZINDABAD" !

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Karam

Apr 17, 2015 05:42pm

Best news in 2015 and I appraise Army role. Go please go ahead all the way to get the real taste and disseminate to nation. Whole Canada is with you.

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mjk

Apr 17, 2015 06:00pm

Name one high profile corruption case that has been settled ? Remember Haj scam, which is still in limbo.

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MAlvi

Apr 17, 2015 06:35pm

I believe Zardari should be tried and put behind bars, as a test case. But I don't believe that it is going to happen.

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IMTIAZ SYED

Apr 17, 2015 06:43pm

The name of Benazir has been eliminated from tge case. How surprising!!! Poor thinking by the prosecutor. Death does mot dissolve the case. Her estate is accountable. Her estate be reptesented by the executor of her estste.

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Zaheer

Apr 17, 2015 06:52pm

Wasting time.... No allegation will be proved.

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Muhammad

Apr 17, 2015 06:53pm

No big fish will be caught; as NAB stands for Not Against Big ! Unless it is brought under direct control of army chief.

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Nazir Ahmed

Apr 17, 2015 06:57pm

Accountability judges bank accounts must be kept under watch during this proceeding. It is why Zardari escape from their net.

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Malik USA

Apr 17, 2015 07:09pm

@Usman Ahmad You are 100% right

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iqbal

Apr 17, 2015 07:10pm

This will be a greatest thing for Pakistan. More money for Pakistan and accountability will deter future thief. It will be even greater if Mr. 10% can go to jail for 10 years.

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nasir

Apr 17, 2015 07:22pm

Nothing will happen! Zardari is untouchable!!

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Faith

Apr 17, 2015 07:23pm

About time please don't let him slip this time otherwise it will be never ever deal...PAK people need their money back.....

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Syed

Apr 17, 2015 07:25pm

Immunity for the elected or appointed officials all over the world means immunity from prosecution for actions taken while in office for actions taken in GOOD FAITH. Not immunity from prosecutions for corruption, nepotism, influence peddling or abuse of authority etc.

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Naeem Sajjad

Apr 17, 2015 07:36pm

I am not optimist pertaining to this case.Nab chairman is opted by the status quo parties,how come it will act act gainst them.

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B R chawla

Apr 17, 2015 07:41pm

The case shall be settled not in the court but in barter deals between political bosses. It is only in India that even the chief Ministers, central ministers and governors are brought to the book and where even the Prime Ministers are not spared. Indian judicial system is above board that even provided a legal aid to Kasab to fight his case even after he confessed and even after the camera footage showed his crime.

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Mohammad Akhtar

Apr 17, 2015 07:49pm

Open the case, close the case again open the case. What a joke, every thing is going wrong way. What a terrible show.

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shan adams

Apr 17, 2015 08:01pm

Waste of time and money. These people have access to best attorney's in the world and I do not see them getting caught in my life time.

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Faith

Apr 17, 2015 08:42pm

@nasir those days are numbered...

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M.Saeed

Apr 17, 2015 08:45pm

Let the master of percentage give all accounts to the accountability to prove legitimacy of his $ 1.8 billion assets, as given in the Forbes' list of richest head of states, present and past. It should be noted that his worth in Pak-Rupees comes to Rs. 185 trillion !

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iqbal khan

Apr 17, 2015 09:12pm

Waste of tax payer's time and money.In this country a muderer showered with rose petals by very people who take oath for the supremacy of justice system.

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JUSTICE

Apr 17, 2015 09:42pm

Just wait and see, nothing will happen as usual as long as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is in power.

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ali

Apr 18, 2015 12:11am

Nothing would happen....

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Gul

Apr 18, 2015 12:21am

@Aziz Person belonging to Punjab will never be held accountable for corruption of any kind. Be they bureaucrats, generals, politicians or any ordinary person as long as you belong to the so called big province. MQM and Zardari steals, catch them, but PML (N), PML (Q) or people domiciled in Punjab the laws doesn't apply? What a pathetic situation.

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Saeed Ahmed

Apr 18, 2015 01:10am

Yet another exercise in futility. History tells us nothing will happen. There will be no logical conclusion or end.

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Pragmatist

Apr 18, 2015 01:26am

I suspect it is being done on behalf of Nawaz Sharif to force PPP to support his actions on behalf of the Saudi Royals.

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Irshad. Khan

Apr 18, 2015 01:46am

Good news but I hope this time we will see some results.

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A Pakistani

Apr 18, 2015 01:51am

A good PR! and a good opportunity to keep the channels and the chat-show programs going in overdrive. The establishment is also quite on target in taking the gullibility of the citizens for granted.

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Riaz

Apr 18, 2015 02:34am

Thanks God !!!!!

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bkt

Apr 18, 2015 05:34am

The accountability of Mr. Zardari is an odd case at best. His assets have been public knowledge for a while with the press in the US having published some well documented articles on him and his Swiss bank accounts. Yet nothing has been done and thanks to Musharraf's NRO the process was not only reversed but evidence quashed.

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