ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court on Tuesday granted pre-arrest interim bail to Rukhsana Bangash, former president Asif Ali Zardari’s political secretary, in an inquiry related to “assets beyond means”.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had earlier this year initiated the inquiry.

Ms Bangash’s counsel Farooq H. Naek argued before the court that the call-up notice was sent to his client on Sept 14 and it was issued to malign her.

After preliminary hearing, the court granted interim bail to Ms Bangash against surety bonds of Rs50,000.

Meanwhile, the accountability court of Islamabad decided to indict former administrator of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation Hussain Syed, Omni Group’s director Abdul Ghani Majid, Matanat Ali Khan and other accused in connection with the illegal allotment of amenity plots.

The court summoned the accused persons on Nov 9 for framing of charges.

In another fake bank accounts case related to the embezzlement in subsidy for sugarcane farmers, the court initiated the process to declare four accused proclaimed offenders.

Accused Abdul Ghani Majid, Mustafa Zulqarnain and others appeared before the court.

The accountability judge marked their attendance and issued proclamation for absconding accused Ali Kamal, Minahil Majid, Nimar Majid and Saima Ali.

The court gave them final opportunity to surrender by November 12 and adjourned the hearing.

Published in Dawn, October 14th, 2020