LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday extended pre-arrest bail of Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif in the assets beyond means inquiry against him by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

However, Mr Shahbaz did not appear in person before a two-judge bench since he is suffering from Covid-19.

His counsel, Amjad Pervez, told the bench that Mr Shahbaz was in quarantine at his home after testing positive for coronavirus. He also submitted a lab report to this effect.

At this, Justice Aalia Neelum, who headed the bench, asked NAB Special Prosecutor Faisal Raza Bokhari if the bureau had any objection to the non-appearance of the petitioner.

The prosecutor said the NAB had no issue if the petitioner failed to appear due to coronavirus.

Justice Neelum, however, expressed dismay over non-submission of bail bonds and observed that coronavirus was equally harmful for everyone. She said the petitioner’s money could not help anyone.

BAIL: The court also granted pre-arrest bail to PML-N MNA Barjees Tahir and restrained the NAB from arresting him till June 30 in an inquiry of assets beyond means.

Published in Dawn, June 18th, 2020