LHC grants bail to Shahbaz Sharif in money laundering reference

According to details, a two member bench of LHC comprising Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar and Justice Asjad Javed Ghural granted bail to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader.

The court has ordered Shahbaz Sharif to submit two indemnity bonds worth Rs. 5 million each.

Background

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on June 11, 2019 arrested Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly Hamza Shahbaz from the premises of Lahore High Court (LHC) in connection with money laundering and holding assets beyond means.

On February 11, 2020, LHC rejected Hamza Shahbaz's bail plea in illegal assets and money laundering cases.

The anti-corruption watchdog filed a money laundering reference against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shahbaz Sharif, Hamza Shahbaz, Salman Shabaz and other family members in the accountability court o n August 17, 2020.

On August 20, 2020, an accountability court of Lahore approved the money laundering reference for hearing against Shahbaz Sharif and his family.

On September 28, 2020, Opposition Leader in National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif was taken into custody after Lahore High Court (LHC) rejected his bail plea in connection with money laundering case.

Shabaz Sharif was previously arrested on October 05, 2018, in connection with Ramzan Sugar Mills and Ashiana Housing Scheme cases.

On November 11, 2020, Shehbaz Sharif and Hamza Shehbaz Sharif were indicted in money laundering reference by accountability court.

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on February 24, 2021 ordered to release Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hamza Shahbaz from jail. The verdict was announced by a two-member bench headed by Justice Sarfraz Dogar. Court ordered opposition leader in provincial assembly to submit two indemnity bonds worth one million each.

On March 26, 2021, Shehbaz Sharif moved bail petition through his counsel Amjad Pervaiz in which it was stated he is in jail for months and it will take time to conclude the trial in the case.

“All records are with the anti-corruption watchdog and no recovery was due to be made in the case. Shehbaz Sharif is unable to fulfill his constitutional responsibilities as opposition leader in national assembly due to being jailed. He is continuously attending the hearing, hence the court is requested to issue his release on bail,” the petition added.

About the reference

NAB has accused Sharif family of accumulating assets worth Rs. 7,328 million, in the last 30 years without justifying the means of income.

The accountability bureau has nominated 20 people in the reference including Shahbaz Sharif’s wife Nusrat, his sons Hamza and Suleman, and daughters Rabia Imran and Javeria Ali. Suleman Shahbaz and his sister Rabia Imran have been declared proclaimed offenders in the case already.

NAB has accused the former chief minister of committing corruption by involving his family members, front men, employees, close fellows and moneychangers. The anti-graft watchdog further alleged that the PML-N President created an organized system of money-laundering formulated fake sources of income to justify the assets acquired beyond known sources of income.

As per NAB, the corruption falls under the National Accountability Ordinance 1999 and money laundering as outlined in the Anti-Money Laundering Act 2010.

The other nominated accused in the case are Nisar Ahmad, Ali Muhammad Khan, Muhammad Shoaib Qamar, Qasim Qayyum, Syed Muhammad Tahir Naqvi, Masroor Anwer, Muhammad Usman, Rashid Karamat, Fazal Dad Abbasi and Haroon Yousafzai.