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Bilawal says can't appear for May 17 hearing, asks NAB to set another date
PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has requested the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to reschedule the hearing that is to be held on May 17, Adviser to the Sindh Chief Minister on Information Barrister Murtaza Wahab said on Wednesday.
In a video message, Wahab said that the PPP chairperson has written a letter to NAB, explaining that he will not be able to appear before the bureau on May 17 — as was earlier planned — due to some "prior commitments". Therefore, Bilawal urged the anti-corruption watchdog to set another date in the coming week.
"The notice sent by NAB to Bilawal was dated May 8, but he received it on May 13," Wahab claimed. "Since Mr Bilawal had prior commitments, he has intimated NAB that it will not be possible for him to appear on May 17."
Yesterday, Bilawal's spokesperson Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar had insisted that the PPP chairperson would appear before NAB on May 17, and had rubbished rumours that he had not answered questions posed by the bureau.
Bilawal had last appeared before NAB on March 20, when he was grilled in three corruption cases: an alleged purchase and demarcation of a land in Islamabad by Park Lane Estates (Pvt) Limited — of which Bilawal was a minor shareholder — as well as a loan allegedly obtained by the firm.
Comments (65) Closed
Which previous commitments??? It is just merely a show defiance.
Yeah the earlier answer was yes, but after briefing from lawyer it’s no. Their main theme is to delay, gain time, and hope for some miracle in their favor.
Can't NAB proceed anyway ? ..... this is obviously a delaying tactic and NAB should address it as such.
I wonder if he will play the ill health and has to travel abroad for treatment card?
I don't think these hearing are presented as choice. It's not a doctor's appointment that you can reschedule.
Bilawal is right. Be it NAB or any other govt dept. People as such can have prior appointments and it should be respected. but it should also be all across with no injustice with anyone from any party. One week will not make any difference.
No problem. He will eventually have to appear.
Delaying tactics. NAB should proceed.
I don't think it is a request.
How long can Bilawal run from justice after looting billions
@syed shah, I do not know the law, but NAB does not have an authority as court.
Grab him by the ear and bring him to the office!
He has prior commitments like ensuring people in Sind have clean water, healthcare is fixed along with broken roads and the crime wave brought under control. The sort of things PPP have supposedly been working on for the last 30 years apparently.
@NACParis, NAB should show some teeth and don’t budge at all
For refusing to appear on fixed date. He should be charged and ban in NA
He may appear in handcuffs later on.
I’m sure he will play the ‘needs medical treatment card abroad’ soon
More excuses?
The NAB should prcocced against this man ex-parte.
Mr. Bilawal Zardari,
How arrogant you are.
But it makes no difference.
Sooner or later you will come to behind the bars.
Your days are numbered.
Give him May 20 then or arrest warrants.
@Bhaijan, NAB can call him for 18 or 19. I think, he has now fear of being arrested, like Durrani, who didn't answer twice and Bilawal also didn't answer twice, third time, face the wall.
@Bhaijan, yes
@syed shah, agree
@NACParis, he gets sick when hears NAB, seeing his future. Let's make his dreams come true, free room and board in jail!
@A shah, too early, Indian troll.
These people are making a mockery of the whole process! If he is such a busy-body, then he needs to get his priorities sorted. You’d think saving one’s reputation by proving themselves to be innocent of the said allegations would be far higher priority than some lame excuse of ‘prior commitments’. I can only assume these ‘commitments’ are to go check on their banks accounts & properties in the UAE, France, UK, etc!
May be he is injured and need some bed rest...
He thinks this is an invitation to a tea party!
@NACParis, just drama and news.
Call him on 18th, 19th, doesn't matter if its Saturday or Sunday.
Family of cheaters and liars. And these are their basic traits. Then they build their future upon these foundations without remorse or morals.
Your an elected official accountable to the people that elected you. A country that delays accountability of its elected officials only encourages more corruption.
The corrupt are busy looting and need another date . Arrogance got his grandfather, it will take him down as well. This boy is ending hiscateer before it even started.
What an arrogance?
@Parvez, - these thugs know they are heading for big trouble, but why are the authorities being lenient with them. Surely the NAB are not a part of the PPP. Are they??
What an excuse. Did someone call him for excursion or accountability. What a fun saga going on.
Mired in corruption since birth,Bilawal has no defense. This selected leader of PPP should be arrested for repeatedly refusing to appear before NAB.
What prior commitment nawab saheb? Can a common citizen make an excuse like that and get away? Isn't this more important? Drag him to court if he does not show up!!!
Too cool for answering questions. I think that invitation was not a request. NAB & Courts need to assert themselves, they need to make wannabe Dons an example and show them that they mean business.
Mr. Bilawal Zardari,
Your days are numbered.
Mr. Bilawal Zardari
You have been accused.
You are not exceptional and haven't dignity.
Never knew NAB is so flexible! Seems like inviting for dinner .
What good is he doing to be in news. Wasting everyone’s time
If NAB agrees, it will become precedence. Bring him hancuffed if make excuses.
If it were an ordinary man, NAB would barge in to his/her house and grab him/her using full authority that SC has given them. But Bilawal is no ordinary 'man'.
Still don't understand why Bilawal is being called by NAB? His father might be corrupt and made lots of illegal money but the young lad has only just entered politics. Let him be. Arrest and jail his father .
Arrest him.
Government agencies investigating against any pharaohs of the land of the pure or any of their off springs or brothers or sisters or any other relatives should first seek permission from them requesting them on which date and time they will feel it convenient to bless them with their presence and answer some questions which are required to be presented for filling in the files against them. They must also apologies for causing any inconveniences to the pharaohs.
Previous Commitment; Health visits out of country or locally should all be stopped and every citizen should be treated equally.
What else Bilal does other than eating?
Who is Bilawal? What prior commitments? All nonsense. Criminals should not be the choosers of date. Supreme Court of Pakistan should look into delaying tactics and allow rescheduling for genuine reason like death in family or serious sickness not like sneezing one time. People of Pakistan want answer from Supreme Court about corrupt people and realization of looted wealth.
Send a military helicopter to transport him; and also send a bill for the ride
@Naeem ,
Mr. Naeem,
Sooner or later Mr. Bilawal Zardari will be standing before the court.
NAB should stop serving as a political tool of the 'masters' of this country.
@zane,
Mr. zane,
Congratulations on your comment.
In near future Mr. Bilawal Zardari will forget script-reading.
He thinks he is above the law with his wadera and feudal mentality.
This is ridiculous. Can he even reschedule this?
This guy is playing hardball with NAB. Not good.
Dear Bilawal, Go and stay in your father's I'll gotten nest in the UAE.
like father like son. family of corrupt con men.
Yeah sure, NAB shall take appointment from you!
The delaying tactics of corrupt PPP mafia.
Cannot appear due to previous engagement...What does Bilawal thinks....Is it his father's Kingdom....this attitude is simply due the leniency given in the name of bail after bail...Can any tax paying citizen say if called by NAB...he is busy and cannot come...will that be acceptable to LEAs and NAB...So what makes Bilawal super citizen....
Bilawal should get his priority straight, if he wants to show people that he not corrupt like his father is, he should appear in court immediately, otherwise people will think he is afraid of the NAB investigation.
Bilawal is an accused and hence can't write letters to the prosecutor but submit an application through his attorney if applicable.