Graft charges dropped against Zardari
By Saad Saud

ISLAMABAD—Accountability Court No 3 has dismissed Cotecna reference against PPP co- chairman Asif Ali Zardari under National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) while in BMW car reference the court has maintained that it does not fall in the ambit of NRO.
Senator Farooq H Naik counsel for Asif Zardari informed the court he had already filed application seeking exoneration of his client from the case adding if BMW reference does not fall in the jurisdiction of NRO then it can be debated. The court allowed debate over the application besides fixing March 14 for announcement of verdict after hearing the case.
During heading of Cotecna reference the court maintained as name of Benazir Bhutto had already been struck from the case after Liaqat Bagh tragedy, therefore, the reference is dismissed against Asif Ali Zardari, Nusrat Bhutto, AR Siddiqui and three foreign directors.
Farooq H Naik during the hearing of BMW car reference pleaded application filed by Asif Ali Zardari under 264-k seeking acquittal from this case was pending in the court since long.
The court maintained this reference does not fall under the ambit of NRO and court had declared him proclaimed offender due to his persistent absence since 2006 and had issued his perpetual arrest warrants. He has been awarded punishment of 3 years jail term. Asif Zardari should have appeared before the court as per law.
Upon it Farooq H Naik told the court that earlier Asif Zardari was not in the country and now it was impossible for him to appear in the court due to security concerns, therefore, he should be exempted from attendance in the court.
The court directed that a separate application be submitted in this regard. Later the court exempted Zardari from attendance after the appl
Accountability Court here Wednesday dismissed Cotecna reference against PPP Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari, Mohtarma Nusrat Bhutto and A. R. Siddique, former Chairman of Central Broad of Revenue. The court reserved judgment in BMW reference against Asif Ali Zardari and adjourned hearing of the case till March 14.
Judge of the Special Accountability Court No. 3, Sageer Ahmed Qadri, passed the order after hearing arguments of counsel Senator Farooq H. Naik for withdrawal of cases under the National Reconciliation Ordinance. About the BMW corruption reference, the judge observed that Asif Ali Zardari would have to appear before the court in person.
Naik pleaded that his client could do so due to security risk and the judge granted exemption. Accountability courts have already withdrawn some six corruption references against the PPP Co-Chairman. Appication was filed and issued directives that counsels of Asif Zardai can appear in the court in the absence of their client.
Farooq H Naik argued no evidence was provided on the involvement of Asif Zardari in this case nor the vehicle was owned by him. This was imported by Sajid Qayyum and Asif Zardari had nothing to do with it. This vehicle has been sold out to further 3 persons. The court after hearing the arguments set March 14 for pronouncement of judgment.