Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President and leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif will be indicted in the Ashiana Iqbal Housing scandal case on February 18. He was arrested on October 5, 2018 in connection with the Ashiana Iqbal Housing Scheme case. During Thursday's proceedings of the case in the accountability court the accused , Ahad Cheema and Fawad Hasan Fawad were present but Shahbaz Sharif was in Islamabad due to a meeting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
The court inquired why Sharif was not present, stating whether he was ill or had a PAC meeting. DSP Aizaz Shah informed the court that Shahbaz Sharif was not well and also had a PAC meeting. The court remarked that federal government should answer why PML-N chief is not being produced before the court. The court stated that the police were just guardians and it was the state which was answerable on who had allowed Shahbaz Sharif to stay in Islamabad, adding that he was not granted the right to a medical so he wouldn't appear in court.
Prosecutor NAB said it was not the bureau's responsibility to present Sharif but rather the police. The lawyer for Sharif informed the court that his client had an issue with his backbone and his doctor had advised him against long journeys. To this, the court responded that why not summon this doctor and ask him about the report. The court added that according to the report Sharif was fine and it seems his health deteriorated lying in bed. The judge hearing the case said Shahbaz Sharif was supposed to be indicted in the case today, to which the lawyer replied that there was no such order.
The court ordered for Shahbaz Sharif to be present at all cost during the next hearing, adding that an order beyond summons would be given if he failed to appear. The judge added that Sharif could end the meeting and come, and if he was ill he can take an air ambulance. The judge informed Sharif's counsel that his client would be indicted during the next hearing and there will be no excuses acceptable on his absence. The hearing of the case was adjourned will February 18.
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