Hamza Shahbaz’s remand extended

LAHORE:An accountability court on Friday extended 14-day judicial remand of PML-N leader Hamza Shahbaz in assets beyond means and money-laundering case. The authorities didn’t produce Hamza before the court due to Covid-19 protocol. However, the NAB again failed to submit reference of the investigation after which the court has directed NAB to submit reference as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, the court has also adjourned the hearing of Ramzan Sugar mills case in which Hamza and his father former Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif are accused. Hamza Shahbaz is likely to be indicted in Ramzan Sugar Mills case on next hearing going to be held on April 10.

As per reference, NAB has accused Shahbaz Sharif of misuse of authority in 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 had grilled Suleman Shahbaz, but he left for the United Kingdom and never returned to join investigation.