Verdict on Zardari’s plea for jail facilities reserved

Published September 6, 2019
Judge Raja Jawad Abbas Hassan adjourned proceedings in the fake accounts case till Sept 19. — AFP/File
Judge Raja Jawad Abbas Hassan adjourned proceedings in the fake accounts case till Sept 19. — AFP/File

ISLAMABAD: The acting judge of the accountability court of Islamabad on Thursday reserved his ruling on an application seeking jail facilities for former president Asif Ali Zardari.

Judge Raja Jawad Abbas Hassan also adjourned proceedings in the fake accounts case till Sept 19.

The accountability court on Aug 16 allowed Mr Zardari to avail facilities of air-conditioning, fridge, internet and personal attendant from his own pocket.

However, as the Adiala jail administration is not allowing the president to have these facilities even at his own expense, his legal team filed an application before the accountability court seeking initiation of contempt proceeding against the jail authorities.

In response, the jail superintendent explained in a report that the jail administration has sought the opinion of the law department on the matter. According to him, the ex-president is getting facilities of icebox for keeping medicines, TV and newspapers. Mr Zardari has also been given medical treatment and instead of deploying an exclusive attendant, he is being looked after by the medical staff round the clock.

The report says for provision of air conditioning facilities, the jail administration is awaiting advice of the Punjab government.

During the court’s proceeding, Mr Zardari approached the rostrum and said that he was earlier provided air conditioning facilities in jail but this time despite the court’s directives the jail administration was not providing him these facilities.

Mr Zardari while leaving the courtroom pushed a police official in plain clothes away and asked him to stay away from his sister Faryal Talpur, who is also a co-accused in the fake accounts case and was leaving the courtroom after attending Thursday’s proceeding.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2019

Opinion

Editorial

Counterterrorism plan
Updated 23 Nov, 2024

Counterterrorism plan

Lacunae in our counterterrorism efforts need to be plugged quickly.
Bullish stock market
23 Nov, 2024

Bullish stock market

NORMALLY, stock markets rise gradually. In recent months, however, Pakistan’s stock market has soared to one ...
Political misstep
23 Nov, 2024

Political misstep

FORMER first lady Bushra Bibi’s video address to PTI followers has triggered a firestorm. Her assertion implying...
Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

An audit of polio funds at federal and provincial levels is sorely needed, with obstacles hindering eradication efforts targeted.
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...