Supplementary reference filed against Zardari in Park Lane case

ISLAMABAD: A supplementary reference has been filed against former President Asif Ali Zardari in the Park Lane case in the Accountability Court Islamabad.

Last week, the accountability court indicted the former president in the Park Lane reference via video link, and the former president pleaded not guilty. The court indicted ten accused, including the former president, and three companies including Park Lane Company, Parthenon Company, and Tracom Pvt. Ltd.

A total of 13 of the 17 defendants in the Park Lane Company reference were indicted, including 10 individuals and three companies. The three accused named in the reference are Younis Qadwai, Uzair Naeem, and Iqbal Memon.

Islamabad Accountability Court Judge Muhammad Azam Khan heard the Park Lane reference. Asif Zardari appeared in court from Bilawal House Karachi through video link. Lawyers for Iqbal Noori and Taha Raza filed anticipatory pleas, which were rejected.

Park Lane Reference

Zardari is accused of causing a loss of Rs 3.77 billion to the national exchequer through fake bank accounts. Other accused in the reference include PPP senators Usman Saifullah, Anwar Saifullah, and Saleem Saifullah.

According to NAB sources, the actual value of about 2,500 kanals of land purchased in Islamabad is Rs 2 billion but it was bought for only Rs 62 crore. The Park Lane reference was approved by the NAB chairman in July last year.

With the loan money, eight floors were constructed in IBC Center. Initially, a loan of Rs 1.5 billion was taken which increased to Rs 4 billion. Debt irregularities were committed and the accused conspired to damage the treasury. d Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), is a pardoned witness against