SHC adjourns hearing over absence of Faryal Talpur's lawyer

Jail authorities told to get Nisar Morai's medical check-up done from AKU, submit report

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) adjourned on Thursday the hearing of the Rs35 billion money laundering case involving sister of former president Asif Ali Zardari and MPA-elect Faryal Talpur until August 30 due to the absence of her counsel, Farooq H Naik.

A two-member bench, headed by the SHC Chief Justice Ahmed Ali Shaikh, heard the petition against an interim-challan presented by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). Additional Attorney-General Salman Talibuddin and FIA prosecutor Malik were present at the hearing.



A junior counsel told the court that Talpur's lawyer could not attend the hearing as he was busy with election-related petitions in Sukkur. The court accepted the excuse and adjourned the hearing until August 30.

The petition maintains that the FIA charge-sheet does not refer to money laundering nor did it directly name Talpur. Dismissing the allegations, it further adds that the content of the interim challan failed to imply corrupt dealings.

The petition also calls for terming the challan as illegal and requested the court to pass a stay order on the FIA investigations.

Bail granted

Meanwhile, the SHC granted protective bail to two suspects involved in a case of alleged money laundering of billions of rupees.

After hearing a petition filed relating to the protective bail of Muhammad Qasim and Muhammad Ashraf, a two-member bench granted the protective bail against a surety of Rs200,000 each.

The court ordered the suspects be made a part of the investigation and appear before the trial court.

According to the FIA, three of the suspects in the money laundering case are on bail while bankers Hussain Lawai and Taha Raza are in jail.

Nisar Morai case

The SHC directed the jail authorities to get Fisherman Cooperative Society Chairperson Nisar Morai's medical check-up done from Aga Khan Hospital's medical board and submit a report by August 27 in a billion rupee corruption reference.

A two-member bench, headed by Justice Iqbal Kalhoro, heard Morai's bail hearing. His counsel, Rasheed A Rizvi argued that his client was severely sick in the jail. A few days ago, Morai was admitted to the Jinnah hospital's intensive-care unit as his sugar level exceeded 600.



Despite being severely sick, Morai was sent back to jail, Rizvi said, requesting his client be granted bail on medical grounds or transferred to a hospital.

The bench ordered that Morai be checked by AKU. According to the National Accountability Bureau, the accused is guilty of the embezzlement and corruption of billions of rupees as well as making illegal appointments in the department.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 10^th, 2018.