IHC grants bail to Asif Ali Zardari on medical grounds

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) grants bail to PPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari on medical grounds on Wednesday in two cases filed against him by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

The former president was granted bail against two surety bonds of Rs10 million each.

A two-member bench comprising IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Aamir Farooq heard the application on Wednesday.

Mr. Zardari who is under investigation by NAB over allegations of money laundering and corruption had filed an application in the high court earlier this month to seek bail in two cases.

NAB’s  Prosecutor general Jahanzaib Bharwana and deputy prosecutor general Sardar Muzafar Abbasi represented the anti-corruption watchdog in the court, while Farooq H. Naek argued on behalf of the former president.

NAB submitted Zardari’s medical report prepared by a five-member medical board before the court. The report was constituted on IHC’s orders to examine the former president.

According to the medical board, Zardari is suffering from type-2 diabetes and also faces heart ailments. It further revealed that the former president had three stents placed in him and needs an angiography.

According to the report, it was not possible for the former president to receive proper treatment while in jail.

“Does NAB want Zardari to remain under detention and receive treatment on state’s expenditure?” asked Justice Minallah. The anti-corruption watchdog did not answer. Subsequently, the high court granted bail to Zardari in both cases.I