Money laundering & illegal assets reference: Court summons Shahbaz's wife, another daughter

LAHORE: An accountability court on Thursday adjourned further hearing till September 14 in a money laundering and illegal assets reference against Leader of Opposition in National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif and his family and issued fresh summons of Shahbaz's wife Nusrat Shahbaz and another daughter Rabia Ali.

The court also directed the NAB to submit a report on compliance of arrest warrants of Shahbaz's son Suleman and son-in-law Haroon Yousaf.

The court also provided copies of the reference to all the accused present in the court room.

Shahbaz Sharif along with his daughter Jawariya appeared before the court and Shahbaz's son Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly Hamza Shahbaz, was also brought to the court from jail as he was on judicial remand.

Other suspects including Nisar Ahmad, Qasim Qayum, Rashid Karamat, Masroor Anwar, Fazal Dad Abbasi and Shoaib Qamar were also present in the court. Shahbaz and his daughter were allowed to leave after the court's staff marked their attendance.

Another accountability court adjourned hearing of Ramzan Sugar Mills reference against the Shahbaz's family till October 01 for testimony of the prosecution witnesses.

During the hearing, Shahbaz stated before the court that he served the province as the chief minister with full sincerity and honesty.

He said his family business suffered huge losses but he always protected the interests of the farmers.

He complained that it was very deplorable that the NAB accused him of accumulating illegal assets.

The court however assured Shahbaz that an ample opportunity would be given to him to defend his case.

Strict security arrangements with heavy deployment of police force were made outside the judicial complex. PML-N leaders and workers were gathered outside the complex to express solidarity with their party leaders.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020