ISLAMABAD: An accountability court here on Monday rejected an application seeking meetings of former president and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari with his relatives twice a week.

Accountability court Judge Mohammad Bashir, however, allowed relatives to meet Mr Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur once a week.

As per court orders, the PPP leader, who is in the judicial custody in Adiala jail, can meet his children and close relatives on Monday.

The court fixed Saturday as the day for meeting with Ms Talpur. The court, however, allowed the legal team to meet Mr Zardari and Ms Talpur as per requirement.

Sardar Latif Khan Khosa argued on behalf of Mr Zardari and his sister.

Bilawal calls consultative meeting on Sept 18

He said that since there were separate days for meeting with Mr Zardari and Ms Talpur, the court should allow relatives to meet both detained leaders on Monday and Saturday, respectively.

NAB’s counsel, on the other hand, opposed the request and said it was not provided for in the law.

Subsequently, the court rejected the application seeking two meetings with Mr Zardari and Ms Talpur.

The same court extended the judicial remand of Bilal Sheikh, the co-accused with Mr Zardari in the fake bank accounts case, for a fortnight.

Accountability court judge Mohammad Bashir reserved the order on an application filed by Mr Sheikh seeking permission to withdraw money from his frozen accounts and for removal of the handcuff since the accused is over 70 years old.

In the application, Mr Sheikh took the plea that Rs300 million had been stuck up in his Micro Finance Bank account. He requested the court to allow him to withdraw some amount of money to run the affairs of his family and pay property tax. The court sought details of Mr Sheikh’s property and adjourned the hearing.

PPP meeting

PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has called an important consultative meeting on Sept 18 at Zardari House.

Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, a spokesman for the PPP chairman, said that the consultation would be held at 3pm on Wednesday on the issue of sending Imran Khan’s government packing in December this year. “The PPP chairman will consult senior party leaders on the issue,” he added.

Mr Bhutto-Zardari’s countrywide visit will also be discussed at the meeting. The meeting will chalk out the strategy after discussion on the country’s political and economic situation, Mr Khokhar said.

Published in Dawn, September 17th, 2019