Toshakhana reference: court issues bailable arrest warrants of Asif Ali Zardari.

ISLAMABAD -- Accountability Court (AC) Islamabad has rejected former president Asif Ali Zardari plea for exemption from attendance in Tosha Khana case and issued his bailable arrest warrants.

Judge Syed Asghar Ali of Accountability Court Islamabad took up the Tosha Khana case against former president Asif Zardari and two former Prime Ministers Nawaz Sharif and Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani for hearing Tuesday.

The AC Islamabad had issued summons of the accused on the occasion of elementary hearing on May 15.

Nawaz Sharif, Asif Ali Zardari and Yousuf Raza Gillani did not appear in the court.

Farooq H Naik, counsel for Asif Zardari appeared who told the court former president had filed application for exemption from attendance.

Farooq H Naik said ' I am a senior lawyer and giving statement in the court. Asif Zardari will appear before the court on next hearing.

The court remarked ' it is criminal case and Asif Zardari will have to appear. His application for exemption from attendance is rejected.

Farooq Naik said these are corona days and Asif Zardari is old age , People will gather on his arrival and this way there will be rush of people.

He said he is there to represent Asif Ali Zardari.

Judge Asghar Ali remarked ' I give longer date so that Asif Ali Zardari could appear in the court.

NAB prosecutor said during the hearing of the case ' there are three accused in this case. The court has issued warrants in the name of Nawaz Sharif who is in UK. Please send the warrants to him through foreign office.

The learned...