Five NAB references reopened against Zardari

E-Paper | March 17, 2026

ISLAMABAD: An accountability court in Islamabad Friday reopened five National Accountability Bureau (NAB) references against former president Asif Ali Zardari and has summoned a response from him within two weeks, DawnNews reported.

Earlier, the references against Zardari had been deferred because he enjoyed constitutional immunity during his tenure as head of state.

Taking a suo motu notice, the accountability court’s judge Bashir Ahmed reopened the five references against the former president.

The references against the former president include SGS, Cotecna, ARY, polo ground and Ursus tractors.

The court had earlier released Zardari’s co-accused in these references.

Zardari, 58, stepped down from the post of president in September, leaving his official residence after a record five years in power. He became the first democratically elected president in the history of Pakistan to fully complete his constitutional tenure and be replaced by another elected individual.

His tenure was riddled with allegations of corruption and mismanagement with the country experiencing perhaps some of the most serious security challenges.

Moiz

Oct 11, 2013 04:11pm

Government need diversions to complete 5 years term, People of Pakistan need entertainment, Media need headlines, Judiciary need projection. So let the dramas begin.

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fazalpai

Oct 11, 2013 06:46pm

@Moiz: painful situation, but ground reality.

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Adnan

Oct 11, 2013 06:44pm

@Moiz: ... rather, the drama continues. Stay tuned!

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Reader

Oct 11, 2013 08:11pm

I wouldn't be surprised if he has stared his self exile planning to Dubai. The govt or the judiciary needs to put him on the Exit list without delay.

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Syed Ahmed

Oct 11, 2013 08:24pm

@Moiz: Where would Gilani and sons, Raja rental, Sharif brothers, Ishaque Dar appear in the drama?

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Ashar

Oct 11, 2013 08:34pm

@Moiz: couldn't have said it better myself!

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Mohammad A. Wahab

Oct 11, 2013 08:38pm

The guy earned worldwide fame due to his unprecedented lust for wealth and was quoted as Mr.10% by world media. He took revenge and became the president of Pakistan and became Mr. 50%. He realized that instead of taking commissions, it was better to endeavor in pursuits which didn't involve deals and made more than 100% gains. If he declares all his looted wealth, he might be the wealthiest person in the world with black money. Our dear current PM doesn't want to recover any single penny of the general public in the name of political reconciliation. Long live Zaradari and Nawaz Sharif. Pakistan has been made Heaven for killers, looters, robbers, extortionists, kidnappers, gangsters, plunderers and name any other criminals. Was Pakistan made for that?

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Muhammad

Oct 11, 2013 09:11pm

@Moiz: You have very well summarized the real situation in Pakistan. Well done!

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G.Nabi

Oct 11, 2013 09:17pm

Could n't we stop this saga ? Man is sitting in Dubai, he can move to London at his discretion. Assuming you find him guilty, who is going to bring him back to Pakistan to face court of law ? He has learnt from Musharraf's experience. We could not bring back Hussain Haqqani ex ambassador to US, he jumped bail.It is joke that establishment loves to play.

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Rogers Evans

Oct 11, 2013 10:22pm

This is ridiculous. It will create a circus in Pakistani media. Let Zardari enjoy retiement , although he made lot of money, which evey on in power does.

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Yasmin Elahi

Oct 11, 2013 11:05pm

Zardari never deserved to be the President of Pakistan because it was an open secret that he was corrupt to the core! Anyway, Better late than Never! I hope the case is pursued with full transparency.

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Janikhel

Oct 12, 2013 12:08am

@Syed Ahmed: Please do not fool yourselves, each and everyone is guilty as charged, our entire system has got a major rot, Generals before 1968 could hardly afford to buy a plot to build a house, today they are business people, wheelers and dealers.

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Zar aurDari

Oct 12, 2013 01:32am

CJ wanted his share....Now Zardari realized one cant eat that much alone

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Jalaluddin S. Hussain

Oct 12, 2013 05:08am

Former President Zardari, in spite of some of his good qualities, must be tried and face justice in accordance with the Quranic law of "Mukafat-e-Amal". He should therefore submit to the investigations of the NAB court of inquiry in Pakistan.

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iqbal

Oct 12, 2013 06:01am

This is one thief I would like to see fried. No one has done more damage to Pakistan than this Zardari and his party. All his money should be brought back to Pakistan from foreign banks. It will solve most of the Pakistan debt problem.

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Electric Warrior

Oct 13, 2013 10:24pm

@Rogers Evans: Well said,check musharafs accounts.PM of UK cant afford what he can

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Syed Husain

Oct 14, 2013 07:29am

Who all do we plans to bring in front of the National Accountability Bureau? A large majority of the politicians also need to be held accountable for their ill gotten wealth.

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