LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Saturday told a special court that it found no evidence to establish the money laundering cha­rge against Suleman Sheh­baz, younger son of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

FIA Special Prosecutor Farooq Bajwa and the investigating officer submitted a supplementary challan for Suleman, as other suspects, including the prime minister and his elder son Hamza Shehbaz, have already been acquitted in the case.

Suleman appeared before the court (central-I) on the expiry of his interim pre-arrest bail.

The prosecutor told the court that Suleman joined the investigation, but the investigating officer found no evidence of money laundering or receiving kickbacks against him.

In a prompt reaction to the move, the PTI posted a video clip of slain journalist Arshad Sharif’s report about the money laundering evidence against the premier’s son. “Today Sul­e­man was acquitted. Didn’t the FIA even find this che­q­ue? This news was by Arshad Sharif shaheed.”

The prosecutor also submitted a report stating that the agency couldn’t find evidence against ano­ther suspect, Tahir Naqvi. In light of the agency’s report, the counsel for Suleman and Naqvi withdrew their bail petitions. Presiding Judge Bakht Fakhar Behzad adjourned hearing of the case till Feb 2.

Talking to reporters outside the court, Suleman clarified a tweet he recently posted to criticise the last three finance ministers for their performance. He said his tweet was against the PTI government that changed five ministers, not Miftah Ismail.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2023