LAHORE: An accountability court on Thursday again issued bailable arrest warrants of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif in a reference against allotment of land to Jang Group Editor-in-Chief Mir Shakil-ur-Rehman. The court directed the police to ensure service of the summons at all known addresses of Nawaz Sharif and also extended judicial remand of Mir Shakil-ur-Rehman till September 03.

Earlier, a police report submitted with the court said the summons could not be served at Model Town residence of Nawaz Sharif due to his unavailability. The court asked a police official if there was only one residence of the former premier in Lahore. The official said there was another residence in Jati Umra but the summons was not sent on that address. The NAB in its reference alleged that Rehman illegally obtained exemption of 54 plots each measuring one-Kanal situated in Johar Town.

It alleged that the allotment of land was made in connivance with then chief minister Nawaz Sharif against the exemption policy and the laws for monetary gains. It said the suspects caused a loss of rupees 143.53 million to national exchequer.

The NAB had arrested Shakil-ur-Rehman while Nawaz Sharif had been declared absconder for his continuous non-appearance before the investigation team. Nawaz Sharif is in London for treatment following a permission granted by courts.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020