LAHORE: Leader of Opposition in National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif and his daughter on Thursday appeared before an accountability court in a reference of money laundering and illegal assets made by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Shahbaz’s son Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly Hamza Shahbaz, who is in jail on judicial remand, was not brought to the court due to his illness.

A jail official submitted a report to the court saying Hamza had got fever for a couple of days. He said several medical tests of Hamza including the Covid-19 had been conducted. However, he said, he was advised rest by the doctors.

During the hearing, Mr Shahbaz stated before the court that he served the province as the chief minister with full sincerity and honesty. He said he never claimed a single penny from public money for his personal purposes during his three stints as chief minister.

Mr Shahbaz said he saved billions of rupees of the national exchequer and brought foreign investment to the province. He said his family business suffered huge losses but he always protected the interests of the farmers.

He complained that it was very deplorable that the NAB accused him of accumulating illegal assets.

Presiding Judge Jawadul Hassan assured Mr Shahbaz that ample opportunity would be given to him to defend his case.

Mr Shahbaz and his daughter were allowed to leave after the court’s staff marked their attendance. Other suspects including Nisar Ahmad, Qasim Qayum, Rashid Karamat, Masroor Anwar, Fazal Dad Abbasi and Shoaib Qamar were also present in the court.

The judge adjourned further hearing till Sept 14 and issued fresh summons for the appearance of Shahbaz’s wife Nusrat Shahbaz and another daughter Rabia Ali. The judge also ordered the notice server to submit a report on compliance of arrest warrants of Shahbaz’s son Suleman and son-in-law Haroon Yousaf.

Another accountability court adjourned hearing of Ramzan Sugar Mills reference against the Shahbaz’s family till Oct 1 for testimony of the prosecution witnesses.

Strict security arrangements with heavy deployment of police force were made outside the judicial complex ahead of hearing of the cases against the Shahbaz’s family. PML-N leaders and workers also gathered outside the complex to express solidarity with the party’s head.

Published in Dawn, September 11th, 2020