Sugar scam, money laundering: Pre-arrest bails of Shehbaz and Hamza extended

Published August 17, 2021
A combination photo of PML-N leaders Shehbaz Sharif (L) and Hamza Shehbaz (R). — AFP/File
A combination photo of PML-N leaders Shehbaz Sharif (L) and Hamza Shehbaz (R). — AFP/File

LAHORE: A special court (bank offences) on Monday extended the interim pre-arrest bail of Leader of Opposition in National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shehbaz in an inquiry into sugar scam and money laundering charges.

Shehbaz and Hamza appeared before the court while a proxy counsel sought a long adjournment of the proceedings.

He said the lead counsel, Amjad Pervez, could not appear due to his appearance before the Lahore High Court. He further said the National Assembly session was also set to be resumed.

Presiding Judge Qaiser Nazir Butt extended the bail of both opposition leaders till Sept 4 and directed the investigating officer to submit a complete investigation report.

In the sugar scam, Shehbaz and his sons – Hamza and Suleman –were booked by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in November 2020 under sections 419, 420, 468, 471, 34 and 109 – financial fraud, impersonation and forgery – of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and 5(2) and 5(3) – criminal misconduct – of the Prevention of Corruption Act and r/w 3/4 of Anti Money Laundering Act. Suleman Shehbaz is absconding in the UK.

The banking court had granted the pre-arrest bail to Shehbaz and Hamza on June 21, a day before the first appearance of Shehbaz before the FIA.

Later, the father and son duo appeared before an accountability court for hearings of three references – money laundering, Ramzan Sugar Mills and Ashiana Housing Scheme.

A duty judge marked their attendance and adjourned further proceedings till Sept 16.

Several leaders and scores of workers of the PML-N gathered outside the courts to express solidarity with Shehbaz and Hamza.

In a brief media talk, Shehbaz said political victimisation was at its peak in the country during the rule of Prime Minister Imran Khan. He said his family had been implicated in multiple cases under similar charges.

He alleged the federal government by not appointing regular judges of the accountability courts wanted to influence the cases against the opposition leaders.

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2021

Opinion

Editorial

Smog hazard
Updated 05 Nov, 2024

Smog hazard

The catastrophe unfolding in Lahore is a product of authorities’ repeated failure to recognise environmental impact of rapid urbanisation.
Monetary policy
05 Nov, 2024

Monetary policy

IN an aggressive move, the State Bank on Monday reduced its key policy rate by a hefty 250bps to 15pc. This is the...
Cultural power
05 Nov, 2024

Cultural power

AS vital modes of communication, art and culture have the power to overcome social and international barriers....
Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.