Assets reference: Zardari exempted from appearing in court

RAWALPINDI: Former President Asif Ali Zardari appeared in an accountability court in Rawalpindi on Thursday. The former president arrived in court today flanked by guards and amid tight security.

Hearing the case, Judge Khalid Ranjha gave Zardari complete exemption from appearing in court for future hearings of the case.

The hearing was subsequently adjourned until June 2, when the court has also summoned the prosecution's witnesses to appear before the judge.

This was the first time that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman appeared before the Rawalpindi accountability court judge since the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) reopened the five-year-old reference in April.

The PPP co-chairman is accused of acquiring assets illegally and failing to submit correct details of his wealth. He was previously excused from appearing in court due to ill health.