ISLAMABAD, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- A court in Pakistan on Friday issued arrest warrant for the country's former President Asif Ali Zardari in connection with a case of alleged money laundering through fake bank accounts, state media reported.
Zaradri is currently member of the parliament and the co-chairman of the opposition Pakistan Peoples Party. He served as President of Pakistan from 2008-2013.
"The banking court in Karachi has issued non-bailable arrest warrants of former President Asif Ali Zardari in money laundering case. The court, today (Friday) while hearing a case, directed to present Asif Ali Zardari and others relating to money laundering case by Sept. 4," Radio Pakistan reported.
Zardari's lawyer and the party's spokesman, however, denied the reports and said no arrest warrant is issued.
The banking court issued the arrest warrant for Zardari and several other people, who have not appeared before the court despite summoning them to explain their position, TV channels reported, quoting sources of the Federal Investigation Agency or FIA.
FIA is investigating into a multi-billion money laundering case against Zardari and over 30 other people, including some of his close aides. At least two of Zardari's friends have also been arrested in the case, according to reports. The Supreme Court has ordered ban on the accused from leaving the country.
The banking court ordered the police to arrest Zardari and other wanted men and produce them on Sept. 4 when the banking court will resume hearing of the case.
Reports said that the FIA is investigating 32 people in relation to money laundering from fake accounts, including Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur.
Over 20 accounts without name opened at some private banks in 2013, 2014 and 2015 from where transactions worth billions of rupees were made, according to sources.
The amount, according to FIA sources, is said to be black money gathered from various kickbacks, commissions and bribes.
