KARACHI – Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardariappeared before the Banking Court in Karachi today in relation to the moneylaundering case.

He was granted bail by the banking court in Karachi on Friday.

Asif Zardari appeared before the court in the high-profile money launderingcase accompanied by his counsel, Farooq H Naik.

On August 17, the local banking court had issued non-bailable arrestwarrants for Zardari and other absconding suspects in the ongoing probethat is also being investigated by the apex court.

However, the following day, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) approved theformer president’s petition for protective bail in the case and ordered himto appear before the relevant court before September 3.

Complying with the directives, the former president appeared before thebanking court today.

Ahead of Zardari’s arrival, a bomb disposal squad scanned the courtpremises and gave the clearance.

The FIA is investigating 32 people in relation to money laundering fromfictitious accounts, including Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur.

Zardari’s close aide Hussain Lawai was arrested in July in connection withthe money laundering to the tune of Rs 35 billion.

The former president’s other close aide and Omni Group chairman AnwarMajeed and his son, Abdul Ghani, were also arrested by FIA from thepremises of the Supreme Court earlier this month.

According to the sources, over 20 ‘benami’ accounts at some private bankswere opened in 2013, 2014 and 2015 from where transactions worth billionsof rupees were made, according to sources.