Money-laundering: NAB extends Hamza remand for 14 days

LAHORE: An accountability court on Friday extended judicial remand of opposition leader in Punjab Assembly Hamza Shahbaz for 14 days in assets beyond means and money-laundering case.

The court also extended judicial remand of Hamza’s cousin Yousaf Abbas, an accused of money-laundering in Chaudhry Sugar Mills case.

As the hearing commenced, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutor informed the court that they have not received fresh reports of Mian Nawaz Sharif, an accused in Chaudhry Sugar Mills money-laundering investigation. The court directed the counsel for Nawaz Sharif to submit fresh medical reports of the accused. The court also admonished representative of Shahbaz Sharif for appearing before the court late.

Advocate Amjad Pervaiz, on behalf of Nawaz Sharif, submitted an application and stated that his client was still undergoing treatment abroad and he could not travel. He pleaded with the court to exempt him from personal appearance.

The court had exempted Shahbaz till further orders in his reference of Ramzan Sugar Mills and had appointed a representative advocate Muhammad Nawaz for marking his attendance.

The court strictly ordered NAB on Friday to file reference of alleged money-laundering in Chaudhry Sugar Mills against Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz, Yousaf Abbas and others. A pleader, Salman Sarwar, on behalf of Maryam Nawaz was also present during the proceedings.

As per references, NAB accused Shahbaz Sharif of misuse of authority in Ashiana-e-Iqbal Housing scam and Ramzan Sugar Mills case.

Hamza has been charged in the case for being the chief executive of the Ramzan Sugar Mills to get constructed a drain facilitating his mill out of the public money in Chiniot. Then chief minister, Shahbaz Sharif, allegedly approved an amount of Rs210 million for the construction of the drain. It has been learnt that NAB could file another reference against Hamza and Shahbaz related to the construction of a bridge to allegedly facilitate the Ramzan Sugar Mills. Earlier, NAB grilled Suleman Shahbaz, but he left for the United Kingdom and never returned to join investigations.