The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Lahore has nominated PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shahbaz as accused in Ramazan Sugar Mills reference case.
NAB team has sent the reference to the Chairman NAB former Justice Javed Iqbal for approval by the executive board for filing the reference in the court, sources said here on Friday.
According to the NAB, Shahbaz Sharif, misused his authority as Punjab chief minister to benefit factories owned by his sons, He had issued a directive for the construction of a drain in Chiniot district primarily to benefit the sugar mill owned by his sons.
Hamza Shahbaz who is leader of opposition in the Punjab Assembly has been nominated in the reference for his alleged role being chief executive of the Ramzan Sugar Mills to get constructed a bridge at the cost of Rs 200 million out of the public money to facilitate his mill in Chiniot.
According to sources, the complete reference consists of 600 pages including statements of witnesses and former Deputy Commissioner along with records of the approval of contract. Witnesses in the case include former Principal Secretary to Shahbaz Sharif, and other officials.
It may be recalled that the probe into the reference regarding construction of nullah (drain) in Chiniot costing Rs 200 million was initiated in March 2018. NAB had already announced filing a reference against Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif in the Ramazan Sugar Mills case.
Hamza's brother Salman Shahbaz is also facing similar charges being director of the mills but the bureau has not yet decided whether to include his name in the reference or not. Salman Shahbaz is in the United Kingdom to skip NAB hearings.
Earlier on October 30, both Hamza and Salman Shehbaz had not appeared before NAB in the Ramazan Sugar Mills case. NAB had summoned them both along with the directors of Ramazan Sugar Mills over illegal construction of a bridge at public expense.
The NAB had also launched an investigation against the two sons of former Chief Minister Punjab for allegedly amassing assets beyond means of income. Hamza obtained protective bail from the Lahore High Court (LHC) to avoid his possible arrest
Hamza was stopped from leaving the country at Lahore airport last month as his name was on the exit control list (ECL).
According to media reports, NAB has also formulated its strategy for possible arrest of accused Hamza Shahbaz after filing of the reference since his co-accused Shahbaz Sharif is already in jail on judicial remand.
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