Ramzan Sugar Mills case: NAB files reference against Shahbaz, Hamza

Published February 18, 2019
Shahbaz Sharif and Hamza Shahbaz have been nominated as the primary accused in the Ramzan Sugar Mills reference. — File
Shahbaz Sharif and Hamza Shahbaz have been nominated as the primary accused in the Ramzan Sugar Mills reference. — File

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Monday filed a new reference in the accountability court against PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shahbaz in connection with the Ramzan Sugar Mills case, DawnNewsTV reported.

The father-son duo, leaders of the opposition in the National and Punjab assemblies respectively, have been nominated as the primary accused in the reference.

According to the NAB, Shahbaz Sharif, being chief minister of Punjab, had issued a directive for the construction of a drain in Chiniot district primarily to benefit the sugar mills owned by his sons.

The PML-N president misused his authority as Punjab chief minister to benefit factories owned by his sons, a senior official had told Dawn last month.

The bureau alleges that Shahbaz and Hamza have "fraudulently and dishonestly" caused a Rs213 million loss to the national exchequer. It claims to have obtained "sufficient incriminating" material and evidence during investigation and prayed the court to try and punish the aforementioned accused.

Both Shahbaz and Hamza have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Shahbaz has already been indicted in the Ashiyana Housing reference, whereas Hamza also faces an inquiry in an income beyond means case.

Editorial

Balochistan outreach
Updated 11 Apr, 2025

Balochistan outreach

Terrorists must be dealt with firmly, but engaging in political activity cannot be equated with terrorism.
PSL season
Updated 11 Apr, 2025

PSL season

The season begins with the national team consistently underperforming and a war of words raging between franchise owners over the PSL’s standing.
Student woes
11 Apr, 2025

Student woes

BRIGHT young Pakistanis face an uncertain future in the US. The Trump administration, not content with merely...
Mineral wealth
Updated 10 Apr, 2025

Mineral wealth

The Baloch unrest is partly the result of the belief that the province’s resources are being used for the rest of the country rather than for Balochistan’s economic development.
Senate shortfalls
10 Apr, 2025

Senate shortfalls

THE latest Citizens’ Report by Pildat on the performance of the Senate of Pakistan is a sobering account of...
Crypto coup
10 Apr, 2025

Crypto coup

IT is quite the coup. One of the most recognisable names in the global cryptocurrency market has been roped in by ...