ISLAMABAD: An accountability court in Islamabad on Wednesday reserved the verdict on whether to refer the Toshakhana reference against President Asif Ali Zardari, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Senate Chairman Yusuf Raza Gilani back to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). Accountability court Judge Abida Sajjad heard the plea, filed by the anti-graft body, involving the former prime ministers and the incumbent head of state, and reserved the verdict set to be announced on October 14. The case relates to the 2020 reference filed by NAB against the trio alleging that President Zardari and ex-PM Nawaz obtained vehicles from the Toshakana by paying 15% of the price of the cars — and all of this was facilitated by Gilani.
During today's hearing, President Zardari's lawyer Farooq H Naek said the said court lacks the authority to hear the case following the NAB amendments and, therefore, it should be referred back to the anti-graft body. "Earlier such a case was sent back to NAB," said the counsel. At this, the NAB prosecutor said that when a case does not fall within the jurisdiction of the accountability court, then the merit of the case will not be discussed and the the court has to decide of the reference is to be sent back to the NAB.
The case against President Zardari cannot proceed as he has presidential immunity, the prosecutor remarked, adding that the case against him will be referred to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). The NAB official further reques.