Lahore: The Accountability court in Lahore rejected a plea by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for an extension in the physical remand of Hamza Shahbaz on Wednesday by sending him to Lahore’s Camp Jail on judicial remand in a case of alleged money laundering and acquiring assets beyond means.
Hamza Shahbaz, a PML N leader and son of Ex. Punjab Chief Minister, Shahbaz Sharif was sent to jail on judicial remand when the accountability court rejected National Accountability Bureau’s plea for an extension in the physical remand. Hamza is currently facing inquiries related to acquiring assets beyond means and money laundering.
Representatives from NAB were present in court when they appealed for an extension in the physical remand of Hamza Shahbaz, who was in the NAB’s custody since June 11. The PML N leader was present in court proceedings which were heard by Justice Ameer Muhammad Khan.
The court inquired the NAB counsel to explain why a physical remand was necessary?
“We have recovered some documents from the Punjab chief minister’s office,” the accountability bureau investigation officer replied. He informed the court that two individuals, namely Ali Ahmed Khan and Meher Nisar Ahmed Gul, were employed at the office and it was under their names Hamza had set up two benami companies.
The officer added that records were requested from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and other institutions which NAB has now received.
“Have you also obtained records of the Chiniot property?” asked the court, referring to the Ramzan Sugar Mills, to which the NAB officer replied in the positive.
“We need Hamza Shahbaz’s physical remand to complete our investigation,” stressed the officer.
Hamza Sharif’s counsel urged court to reject NAB’s plea of extending Hamza Shahbaz Sharif’s physical remand, as NAB is only “spinning the case.” The Counsel requested the court to send Hamza Shahbaz to jail on judicial remand.
At the conclusion of the hearing, the court rejected the accountability bureau’s request and ordered that Hamza be sent to jail on judicial remand.
