ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday dismissed a petition by Yunus Kidwai, co-accused with President Asif Ali Zardari in the fake bank accounts case, seeking cancellation of his red warrant.
The plea, adjudicated by Chief Justice Sardar Sarfraz Dogar, was rejected as the court remained “not persuaded,” particularly in the absence of representation from Kidwai’s side, while NAB special prosecutor Rafay Maqsood represented the bureau.
Yunus Kidwai, a close associate of Zardari, had previously surrendered before the trial court in 2023 after returning from Canada. At that time, six NAB references were pending against him. Under the recent NAB Amendment Act, three of those references were returned to NAB, while the remaining three are under trial before an accountability court. Notably, NAB has informed the court that Kidwai’s arrest is unnecessary for those remaining cases.
Yunus Kidwai’s involvement in the fake bank accounts scandal relates to his facilitation of illicit fund transfers through fictitious accounts. The Supreme Court’s designated JIT had identified 29 accounts used to launder billions of rupees, leading to NAB proceeding against multiple political figures, including Zardari, Faryal Talpur, and other associates.
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari, having been elected for a second presidential term in March 2024, is enjoying constitutional immunity under Article 248(2). Accountability Court decisions granted him immunity in multiple NAB references, including, Thatta water supply, Toshakhana vehicles, and fake bank accounts cases, halting all proceedings for the duration of his presidential tenure.
The contrast between Yunus Kidwai’s current position in court and Asif Zardari’s protected status underscores the complex dynamics of accountability that continue to shape political and legal discourse surrounding high-profile financial crime allegations in Pakistan.
