Pakistan seeks ex-president’s arrest in corruption case

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - Pakistan’s top anti-corruption authority on Friday issued an arrest warrant for the country’s former president and a key opposition leader in a money laundering case, an official statement said.

The much-expected warrant was issued for Asif Zardari after approval from Javed Ikbal, Chairman of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) -- a state-run anti-corruption watchdog, a statement from the bureau said.

The arrest warrant will be produced before the Islamabad High Court on June 10, it added.

Zardari, who served as president from 2008 to 2013, cannot be arrested before June 10 as he is on a bail granted by the Islamabad High Court.

The corruption-tainted widower of slain Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto is currently facing inquiries in multiple corruption and money laundering cases involving billions of rupees.

He served jail terms for several times during a period of 1990 to 2004 in different corruption cases, however was proven not guilty.

His son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who is also the chairman of the center-left Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) -- the second largest opposition party -- and other family members are also accused in the cases.

Established in 2000 by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, the NAB has often been accused of targeting anti-government politicians.

The head of anti-corruption authority is facing severe criticism after a media outlet recently aired a video showing an alleged indecent conversation with a woman.

Iqbal, however, called the video “fabricated", and an attempt to divert the ongoing accountability process.