20000128

Hakim Zardari

withdraws

bail petition

ISLAMABAD: Hakim Ali Zardari on Thursday withdrew his bail petition from Supreme Court when the court refused to entertain the application directly.

The court observed that bail application could not be entertained, however a review petition in this regard might be suitable for grant of bail.

The bench comprising Chief Justice Irshad Hasan Khan and Justice Ch. Mohammad Arif was hearing the case.

Syed Talib Hussain Rizvi appeared for Hakim Ali Zardari who is in police custody.

According to details, in the same case the petitioner was already granted bail against a surety of Rs 10 million by the Ehtesab Bench Lahore but he had challenged the same in the Apex Court.

The Apex Court upheld the decision of Ehtesab Bench and ordered to deposit Rs 10 million as surety.

In changing circumstances, Hakim Ali Zardari who was facing reference for securing Rs 3 million loan from NDFC for Tourist Village project and failed to repay the same which swelled to Rs 14 million in 1996.

After the army take over, taking advantage of the policy of the government for defaulters, Hakim Zardari deposited the due amount with the bank. He sought quashment of proceedings against him before Ehtesab Bench and modification of its order dated 20-4-1997.

The Ehtesab Bench while rejecting the application of the petitioner also cancelled his bail and issued non-bailable warrant.

The Supreme Court observed that it was the same case which it had earlier decided, so the fresh application for grant of bail could not be filed. However, the petitioner can file review petition.

The counsel for Hakim Ali Zardari requested the court to withdraw the petition which was allowed.ÑAPP