NAB and economy can't function together: Zardari

Expresses willingness to participate in Maulana Fazlur Rehman's anti-government movement

Former president Asif Ali Zardari while, criticising the National Accountability Bureau, said that either the anti-graft watchdog would function in the country or the economy.

"Both cannot work together," he was quoted by Express News as saying.

Zardari expressed willingness to participate in JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman's anti-government movement.

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman was sceptical of the fact that the incumbent government would complete its tenure, responding 'god forbid' when questioned on the matter after the hearing of the fake accounts case today.

The fake accounts against  Zardari and Sindh lawmaker Faryal Talpur strengthened on Monday as one more accused expressed willingness to become an approver.

On Monday, the Zardari siblings appeared in Judge Muhammad Arshad Malik’s courtroom. NAB informed the court that Sher Muhammad, an accused, had filed a request to become an approver. The prosecutor added that the bureau was processing his, Noreen Sultan and Kiran Aman’s applications to become approvers in the matter.



During the hearing, Judge Malik sought an explanation over Lawai’s absence from the courtroom. NAB prosecutor said the bureau had written to Sindh chief secretary twice seeking Lawai’s appearance in court but received no reply. Malik directed NAB to bring up the matter with Sindh government as the accountability court contacts Sindh High Court over it.

Meanwhile, the single-judge bench granted 10-day extension in pre-arrest bail to Zardari and Talpur against surety bonds worth Rs2 million. The hearing has been adjourned till May 9.