On Saturday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz appeared in the Lahore accountability court in money laundering and fake accounts cases.
The court, presided over by Special Judge Central Ijaz Hassan Awan, was hearing petitions seeking Shehbaz and Hamza’s acquittal in the Ramazan Sugar Mills case.
The court was also hearing interim bail petitions for Shehbaz and Hamza in money laundering and fake accounts cases.
Today’s hearing will also include the Ashiyana Housing Society case against PM Shehbaz.
Shehbaz and the other accused were summoned to the accountability court for indictment.
Prime Minister Shehbaz appeared at the rostrum during the hearing. He told the court that the authorities had conducted an investigation into him through the National Crime Agency in London, but that the agency had found no evidence against him.
“The NCA continued its investigation for two years, but it was unable to prove even a penny of corruption against me.” “I lived in the UK and did business there,” Shehbaz explained, adding that the cases against him were political in nature.
Amjad Pervaiz, a PML-N lawyer, appeared in court on behalf of Shehbaz and argued against the latter’s indictment.
The FIA filed charges against 16 people, including Shehbaz and Hamza, alleging they were involved in Rs16 billion in money laundering through Ramazan Sugar Mills. The Sharifs and others were accused of corporate fraud.
Both the father and son called the FIA cases against them bogus and without merit.
Previously, the administration barred media and petitioners from entering the court. The court, however, took notice and directed security officials not to prevent journalists and petitioners from entering the building.
