CJP asks JIT why Bilawal’s name has been included in fake accounts probe

(media92tv)
Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar on Monday grilled the state prosecutor over the government’s decision to place PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on the exit control list (ECL).

The Supreme Court was hearing a suo motu case regarding a delay into a 2015 Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) probe into money laundering of billions via fake bank accounts.

Several bigwigs, including Zardari, Talpur, former president of Summit Bank Hussain Lawai and Omni Group’s Anwar Majeed, were all nominated in the case. Property tycoon Malik Riaz, his son-in-law Zain, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari have also been included in the probe.

Justice Nisar in today’s hearing asked why the joint investigation team (JIT) formed by the court to probe the case had included Bilawal’s name in its report.

"The JIT will have to clarify one thing: Why did it involve Bilawal in this matter?” Justice Nisar asked. "What did Bilawal do?”

Banking court extends Zardari, Talpur’s bail
A banking court in Karachi extended the interim bail of PPP Co-Chairman Asif Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur until Jan 23 in the fake accounts case.

The siblings face allegedly illegally channelled funds through the said accounts in connivance with the chief executive officers of major banks.

Both PPP leaders appeared in court for the hearing of the case today amid tight security.

A racket ensued at the premises of the banking court when security officials refused to let PPP supporters enter the courtroom after Zardari and Talpur had made their way inside.

When asked to order the FIA to file its final charge sheet in the case, the judges said that the SC had halted proceedings in the banking court since it is [currently hearing a similar case].

The hearing was adjourned until January 23.