ISLAMABAD – The Islamabad High Court has approved a petition of protectivebail submitted by former president Asif Ali Zardari in a money launderingcase on Saturday.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman appeared before the IHC along withhis daughter Aseefa Bhutto Zardari and the Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzebapproved Zardari’s request during an in-chamber session.

The court further ordered Zardari to approach the trial court concerned.

Zardari had filed a petition in the IHC through his counsels Aitzaz Ahsanand Latif Khosa after a local banking court on Friday issued non-bailablearrest warrants for the former president and other absconding suspects inan ongoing probe against a multi-billion money laundering scam.

In his plea, the former president stated that he wants to appear before thetrial court but is seeking protective bail over fears of getting arrested.

Zardari also requested that he be exempted from appearing before theFederal Investigation Agency (FIA).