SUNDAY TIMES KARACHI:The Pakistan People’s Party co-chairman skipped today’s hearing while his sister along with accused turned up in the court for extension of their interim bail which expires today.
Defence counsel Farooq H Naek filed an application on behalf of the former president seeking exemption from personal appearance.
The counsel stated before the court that Zardari was busy in Islamabad owing to the ongoing National Assembly sessions and requested adjournment of the case for the purpose.
Meanwhile, the court provided a copy of the National Accountability Bureau’s plea seeking transfer of the case from Karachi to Islamabad to the accused persons to submit their replies.
A Federal Investigation Agency officer informed the judge that accused Asalm Masood will remain in the agency’s custody until March 7 when his physical remands will expire.
At the previous hearing on Feb 14, the FIA prosecutor stated before the court that there was no justification to hear the bail petitions of the suspects.
Farooq H Naek, who represented the PPP leaders, said it was FIA’s responsibility to submit a final charge-sheet.