Zardari granted presidential immunity in Park Lane, Toshakhana cases

Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari Saturday granted presidential immunity from the Accountability Court Islamabad in the reference of Park Lane and Toshakhana vehicles, after which the proceedings against Asif Ali were stopped.

Accountability Court judge Nasir Javed Rana has issued a written decision on President Asif Zardari's requests for presidential immunity in National Accountability Bureau (NAB) cases.

The written decision said that as long as Zardari is the President of the country, the criminal proceedings against him cannot proceed. He filed an application under Article 248 (2) of the Constitution.

The judgment stated that no objection was raised or opposed by the prosecution on these requests. Under Article 248 (2) of the Constitution, there can be a case against the President and no action can be continued, therefore, the President’s appeals to obtain presidential immunity from the cases are approved.

On the other hand, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif has filed a petition for acquittal in the Tosha Khana vehicle reference. The accountability court has issued a notice and fixed May 23 for arguments on Nawaz Sharif's petition.