Court approves interim bail to Shehbaz, Hamza till July 10

Court approves interim bail to Shehbaz, Hamza till July 10

Lahore: A Lahore’s session court has granted interim bail to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders Shehbaz Sharif and Hamza Shehbaz till Jul 10 in sugar scandal.

The court has also barred Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) from arresting Opposition Leader in National Assembly and Opposition Leader in Provincial Assembly till July 10.

Both Shehbaz and Hamza have been directed to submit two indemnity bonds worth Rs. 1 million each.

While speaking to media outside court, PML-N leader Atta Tarar said that there are no corruption charges on Shehbaz Sharif and Hamza Shahebaz.

It is pertinent to mention here that FIA has summoned Shehbaz on June 22 and Hamza on June 24 in sugar scandal probe.

As per the FIA notice, Hamza Shahbaz is the Chief Executive Officer of Ramzan Sugar Mills, Sharif Feeder Mills, Sharif Poultry Farms and Madani Trading and he has been summoned as Ramzan Sugar Mill chief executive officer.

He is also director of Sharif Dairy Farms, Sharif Malik Products, Ramzan Energy Limited and a shareholder of Al Arabiya Sugar Mills.

Earlier, on June 15, the Anti-Corruption wing of the agency has directed Shehbaz, who was released from Jail after seven months in a NAB case, to appear before the investigation team on June 22. He has also been directed to bring relevant documents.

As per sources, FIA had obtained more proofs of Shehbaz Sharif’s involvement in the sugar scandal.

The former Punjab chief minister is facing allegations of money laundering through Ramazan Sugar Mills and Al Arabiya Sugar Mills. Furthermore, he and his family members have also been accused of Rs25 billion in money laundering, illegal sugar hoarding and gambling.

The notice issued to the younger brother of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif states that the political leader was sent a questionnaire twice but no reply was submitted.

It says that the FIA sent a questionnaire in December 2020 seeking a reply to five questions, adding that a reminder was also issued to him in January 2021.

According to the probing agency, a team of the FIA also visited Shehbaz Sharif when he was in jail but he did not give satisfactory replies.