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PM Shehbaz Sharif and family's legal troubles

adzzy786 said:
Someone with Pending MONEY LAUNDERING CASES IS ELECTED PM. Let that sink in. He is now PM of the country, what a joke. This would never happen in the western world. This is unbelievable. Makes me sick to my stomach
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Its unbelievable n makes a mockery of the whole so called democratic process in Pakistan
 
adzzy786 said:
He won’t be found guilty now he is the PM. He will pay everyone off. The same way his brother used to. Corrupt criminals. You are celebrating him, you make me sick.
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and you're spreading lies and baseless accusations without an ounce of proof.
 
uberkoen said:
and you're spreading lies and baseless accusations without an ounce of proof.
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And your spreading lies all the time. It's an open secret and the plan has started. The only problem is that all the paper work can't be destroyed in a mysterious fire( remember those) because we have copies. Sooner or later SS will go to jail. His selectors won't hesitate to use it against him when he doesn't do as told.
 
Bewal Express said:
And your spreading lies all the time. It's an open secret and the plan has started. The only problem is that all the paper work can't be destroyed in a mysterious fire( remember those) because we have copies. Sooner or later SS will go to jail. His selectors won't hesitate to use it against him when he doesn't do as told.
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Right. Then once he is found guilty then come back and call him the names you're calling him. Until then shush.
 
Lahore: A Pakistani court on Wednesday extended pre-arrest bail to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his son, Punjab chief minister-elect Hamza Shehbaz till May 14 in a Rs14-billion money laundering case.

"The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) special court Lahore on Wednesday accepted Shehbaz's application seeking exemption from personal appearance for one day. However, the court directed the premier to file a reply in the case otherwise it will initiate indictment proceedings on the next hearing on May 14," a court official told PTI. However, Hamza Sharif appeared before the court.

The official said the court also directed Shehbaz's counsel Advocate Amjad Pervez to present arguments before the court on May 14 on his contention that his client can't be indicted in this case.

Shehbaz is also the President of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party. Shehbaz and his sons - Hamza and Suleman - were booked by FIA in November 2020 under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Anti Money Laundering Act. Suleman is absconding and residing in the UK.

The FIA investigation has detected 28 benami accounts, allegedly of the Shehbaz family, through which an amount of 14 billion Pakistani Rupees (USD 75 million) was laundered from 2008 to 2018.

The FIA examined the money trail of 17,000 credit transactions. The amount was kept in "hidden accounts" and given to Shehbaz in his personal capacity, according to the charges.

Meanwhile, the Lahore High Court on Wednesday directed Punjab Governor Omer Sarfaraz Cheema to ensure the completion of the process of administering oath to Chief Minister-elect Hamza Shehbaz by April 28, either doing so himself or through a nominee.

Hamza was elected chief minister on April 16. Hamza and his party blamed ousted prime minister Imran Khan for the delay in oath-taking.

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/pak...n-rs-14-billion-money-laundering-case-2925194
 
MenInG said:
Lahore: A Pakistani court on Wednesday extended pre-arrest bail to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his son, Punjab chief minister-elect Hamza Shehbaz till May 14 in a Rs14-billion money laundering case.

"The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) special court Lahore on Wednesday accepted Shehbaz's application seeking exemption from personal appearance for one day. However, the court directed the premier to file a reply in the case otherwise it will initiate indictment proceedings on the next hearing on May 14," a court official told PTI. However, Hamza Sharif appeared before the court.

The official said the court also directed Shehbaz's counsel Advocate Amjad Pervez to present arguments before the court on May 14 on his contention that his client can't be indicted in this case.

Shehbaz is also the President of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party. Shehbaz and his sons - Hamza and Suleman - were booked by FIA in November 2020 under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Anti Money Laundering Act. Suleman is absconding and residing in the UK.

The FIA investigation has detected 28 benami accounts, allegedly of the Shehbaz family, through which an amount of 14 billion Pakistani Rupees (USD 75 million) was laundered from 2008 to 2018.

The FIA examined the money trail of 17,000 credit transactions. The amount was kept in "hidden accounts" and given to Shehbaz in his personal capacity, according to the charges.

Meanwhile, the Lahore High Court on Wednesday directed Punjab Governor Omer Sarfaraz Cheema to ensure the completion of the process of administering oath to Chief Minister-elect Hamza Shehbaz by April 28, either doing so himself or through a nominee.

Hamza was elected chief minister on April 16. Hamza and his party blamed ousted prime minister Imran Khan for the delay in oath-taking.

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/pak...n-rs-14-billion-money-laundering-case-2925194
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And this is the PM of Pakistan.
 
Lahore court to indict PM Shehbaz, others in money laundering case on May 14

A special court in Lahore on Wednesday stated that charges against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and others in the Rs16 billion money laundering case will be framed on May 14, asking them to ensure their presence at the next hearing as no further adjournments will be made.

"It is made clear that on [the] next date of hearing, charge shall be framed and all the accused shall ensure their personal attendance," the written order said.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had booked PM Shehbaz and his sons, Hamza and Suleman, in November 2020 under sections 419, 420, 468, 471, 34 and 109 of Prevention of Corruption Act and r/w 3/4 of Anti Money Laundering Act. Suleman Shehbaz is absconding in the UK.

Fourteen others have also been named in the FIR under sections 5(2) and 5(3) (criminal misconduct) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The special court had on Jan 27 granted pre-arrest bail to Shehbaz and Hamza in the case.

During today's hearing, Presiding Judge of the Special Court (Central-I) Ijaz Hassan Awan remarked that the accused could not be indicted due to the absence of the prime minister, who had requested an exemption from appearing in court due to a meeting of the federal cabinet that was scheduled for today.

The court approved PM Shehbaz's request, but ruled out the possibility of further adjournments in the case. The court also summoned all the suspects in person on May 14.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1687096/l...baz-others-in-money-laundering-case-on-may-14
 
Extra_Cover said:
Lahore court to indict PM Shehbaz, others in money laundering case on May 14

A special court in Lahore on Wednesday stated that charges against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and others in the Rs16 billion money laundering case will be framed on May 14, asking them to ensure their presence at the next hearing as no further adjournments will be made.

"It is made clear that on [the] next date of hearing, charge shall be framed and all the accused shall ensure their personal attendance," the written order said.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had booked PM Shehbaz and his sons, Hamza and Suleman, in November 2020 under sections 419, 420, 468, 471, 34 and 109 of Prevention of Corruption Act and r/w 3/4 of Anti Money Laundering Act. Suleman Shehbaz is absconding in the UK.

Fourteen others have also been named in the FIR under sections 5(2) and 5(3) (criminal misconduct) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The special court had on Jan 27 granted pre-arrest bail to Shehbaz and Hamza in the case.

During today's hearing, Presiding Judge of the Special Court (Central-I) Ijaz Hassan Awan remarked that the accused could not be indicted due to the absence of the prime minister, who had requested an exemption from appearing in court due to a meeting of the federal cabinet that was scheduled for today.

The court approved PM Shehbaz's request, but ruled out the possibility of further adjournments in the case. The court also summoned all the suspects in person on May 14.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1687096/l...baz-others-in-money-laundering-case-on-may-14
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[MENTION=135038]Major[/MENTION] [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION]
So we have a real PM do we? By real you mean a criminal

So when are the witnesses and files going missing? When will Maqsood Chaprasi be sent abroad and all the other witnesses killed or threatened.
 
May will be an interesting month for Shehbaz Sharif. As per the IHC order, ECP is also to scrutinize accounts for 17 other political parties, including PMLN.
 
Govt formed on basis of bails will soon lose its footing: Pervaiz Elahi

  • Elahi says he hopes ECP would disqualify "sellers of conscience" as soon as possible.
  • Says leaders who have formed government in Pakistan will "go back where they came from."
  • Says there is no future for a government formed on the basis of foreign conspiracy and interference.

LAHORE: Speaker Punjab Assembly Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi on Tuesday took a jibe at the PML-N leadership and said that a "government formed on the basis of bails will soon lose its footing".

In a statement, Elahi, in an apparent reference to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz, said that leaders who have formed the government in Pakistan will "go back where they came from."

The speaker of the Punjab Assembly said that since this government is also formed on the strength of deviant members of the PTI, it could fall at any time.

Elahi also hoped that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) would disqualify the "sellers of conscience" as soon as possible.

"There is no future for a government formed on the basis of foreign conspiracy and interference," he said, adding that confessions of a regime-change conspiracy against Imran Khan's government are now surfacing in the United States, too.

Elahi was referring to PTI members' claims that the US has admitted its involvement in Imran's ouster after US National Security [and] Defense analyst Dr Rebecca Grant, while speaking during a Fox News show, apparently admitted that the US had a role in ousting Imran Khan through the vote of no-confidence.

However, later Fact Check Pakistan had clarified that the remarks were misinterpreted. It noted that the person the PTI leaders were quoting as “proof” that the US government was behind Imran Khan’s ouster had "nothing to do with the US government."

Geo News
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Saddened to learn of the passing of Dr Rizwan one of the most upright & courageous oficers who withstood pressure while investigation & preparing the Rs 16 bn money laundering case against Crime Minister SS. My condolences & prayers go to his family.</p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1523642913380790273?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
FIA withdraws all charges against Shehbaz Sharif and Hamza Shehbaz
[MENTION=1269]Bewal Express[/MENTION] [MENTION=140234]DRsohail[/MENTION] [MENTION=21699]Pakpak[/MENTION] [MENTION=139316]daytrader[/MENTION]
 
Hermoine Green said:
FIA withdraws all charges against Shehbaz Sharif and Hamza Shehbaz

[MENTION=1269]Bewal Express[/MENTION] [MENTION=140234]DRsohail[/MENTION] [MENTION=21699]Pakpak[/MENTION] [MENTION=139316]daytrader[/MENTION]
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Oh my God where are we heading.
 
LAHORE: The accountability court on Saturday granted permission to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister Punjab Hamza Shahbaz to leave after they appeared before it in the Ashiana Housing scandal and Ramzan sugar mills cases, ARY NEWS reported.

The father-son duo who are serving as prime minister and chief minister respectively reached the accountability court and were later allowed to leave after marking their attendance.

The court also adjourned the proceedings for June 04.

Previously, Shehbaz Sharif and Hamza Shahbaz have filed applications in an accountability court seeking their acquittal in the Ramzan Sugar Mills case.

Shehbaz filed the plea through his lawyer stating that he saved billions of rupees of the public in government schemes. He said he was neither a shareholder nor the director of the sugar mill as he had already transferred his properties to his children.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has failed to prove corruption charges against him, he claimed, requesting the court to acquit him in the case.

In December, Hamza Shahbaz moved an acquittal plea in the Ramzan Sugar Mills reference. He filed the acquittal plea on the basis of the recent amendments made to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) law.

He stated that the corruption watchdog filed the reference against him for allegedly getting a drain built with the public funds to facilitate the Ramzan Sugar Mills.

https://arynews.tv/court-adjourns-hearing-in-ramzan-sugar-mills-ashiana-cases-till-june-04/
 
MenInG said:
LAHORE: The accountability court on Saturday granted permission to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister Punjab Hamza Shahbaz to leave after they appeared before it in the Ashiana Housing scandal and Ramzan sugar mills cases, ARY NEWS reported.

The father-son duo who are serving as prime minister and chief minister respectively reached the accountability court and were later allowed to leave after marking their attendance.

The court also adjourned the proceedings for June 04.

Previously, Shehbaz Sharif and Hamza Shahbaz have filed applications in an accountability court seeking their acquittal in the Ramzan Sugar Mills case.

Shehbaz filed the plea through his lawyer stating that he saved billions of rupees of the public in government schemes. He said he was neither a shareholder nor the director of the sugar mill as he had already transferred his properties to his children.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has failed to prove corruption charges against him, he claimed, requesting the court to acquit him in the case.

In December, Hamza Shahbaz moved an acquittal plea in the Ramzan Sugar Mills reference. He filed the acquittal plea on the basis of the recent amendments made to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) law.

He stated that the corruption watchdog filed the reference against him for allegedly getting a drain built with the public funds to facilitate the Ramzan Sugar Mills.

https://arynews.tv/court-adjourns-hearing-in-ramzan-sugar-mills-ashiana-cases-till-june-04/
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So another adjournment. What the hell is going on?
 
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will appear before the special court hearing a money laundering case against him and his son, Chief Minister Punjab Hamza Shahbaz, on Saturday (today).

Sources privy to the development said the "sudden" decision of the prime minister, who has been skirting the hearings in the case, was taken in the light of counselling given his lawyer Amjad Pervez.

They added that the decision to face accountability was prompted by the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial's suo motu notice of "perceived interference" by "persons in authority" in investigation and prosecution of criminal matters against government officials.

According to a press release issued by the Supreme Court, the CJP took the notice on the recommendation of a fellow apex court judge about the "perceived interference in the independence of the prosecution branch in performance of its powers and duties for the investigation and prosecution of pending criminal matters involving persons in authority in the government today."

The father-son duo were set to be indicted but the matter has been delayed since February.

Meanwhile, the perception that the PML-N was coercing the courts to drop cases registered against it became all the more pronounced when FIA's former director Mohammad Rizwan, who was probing the case, died of a heart attack.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan had alleged that Punjab Chief Minister Hamza had "threatened" Rizwan due to which he was under "immense pressure" and died as a result. Imran has also claimed that FIA officials were either being transferred or threatened since the new government came into power.

Last week, reports emerged that the FIA had withdrawn its case against Shehbaz and Hamza. The FIA subsequently issued a press release repudiating the reports, saying that the "case has not been withdrawn" and court proceedings were ongoing.

Shehbaz and his sons -- Hamza and Suleman -- were booked by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in November 2020 under Sections 419, 420, 468, 471, 34 and 109 of the PPC and 5(2) and 5(3) of the Prevention of Corruption Act and r/w 3/4 of Anti Money Laundering Act.

Fourteen others were also named in the FIR under Sections 5(2) and 5(3) (criminal misconduct) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, read with 3/4 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act.

NAB bans transfers, postings

In another major development, The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Friday banned the transfers and postings of its officers.

NAB chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal has also stopped the implementation of the recent transfer and posting orders.

All the regional bureaus of the NAB have also been directed to implement the orders of the Supreme Court in this regard.

In the suo motu notice, the apex court had also barred the authorities from transferring and making new appointments in high-profile cases related to NAB and special courts and also stopped the FIA prosecution branch from withdrawing any cases.

The chief justice had also expressed concern over transfers and appointments of officials in high-profile cases and noted that several officers were transferred from NAB Lahore and FIA, adding that the FIA’s prosecutor in the Lahore High Court was also replaced.

Express Tribune
 
Islamabad: ECP on Saturday issued a show-cause notice to Prime Minister Shehbaz Shareef for failing to conduct intra-party elections of PML-N, ARY News reported.

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) issued a show-cause notice to PML-N President Shehbaz Shareef for failing to conduct the intraparty elections of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N). The last date to conduct the intraparty elections for the PML-N was March 22, 2022.

The ECP had extended the date on PML-N’s request to May 14, but the party failed to submit the certificate of elections to the ECP within the given time.
 
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Mashallah - presenting the PM of Pakistan....

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LAHORE: An accountability court on Monday approved Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's plea for a permanent exemption from personal appearance in a case relating to the Ashiana Housing project. He cited "national responsibilities" as the reason for wanting an exemption.

During the hearing in the cases related to the Ashiana Housing project and the Ramazan Sugar Mills, PM Shehbaz and former Lahore Development Authority (LDA) chairman Ahad Khan Cheema appeared before the accountability court.

At the outset of today’s hearing, when the judge called the premier to the rostrum, the premier said: “Whenever the court had summoned me, I ensured my presence as this is my duty as well as my responsibility.”

“But now, I have a huge responsibility on my shoulders,” the prime minister said, seeking permanent exemption from personal appearance to perform national duties.

PM Shehbaz assured the court that he would follow the court’s order even if his application is rejected.

Expressing his views, the premier further added that he has been accused of allowing the construction of a nullah for Rs150 million.

“During my tenure as the chief minister of the province, several such nullahs were constructed across the province,” he highlighted, adding that the construction was done on the request of a local member of the provincial assembly (MP).

He went on to say that several requests are submitted and all decisions are taken after consultation among cabinet members. PM Shehbaz submitted a booklet of all development projects of Punjab during his tenure as the CM.

NAB opposes PM Shehbaz’s plea
Meanwhile, the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) prosecutor opposed the prime minister’s plea, saying that there were no solid reasons for his exemption from personal appearance in the case.

He maintained that the prime minister did not submit his medical certificate along with the application for exemption from personal appearance.

The NAB’s prosecutor also lamented that the booklet submitted by the premier wasn’t provided to the accountability bureau.

Ramzan Sugar Mills case
CM Hamza Shahbaz did not appear before the accountability court in the Ramzan Sugar Mills case as his legal team filed an application for a one-time exemption from personal appearance, saying their client was busy owing to the budget session.

"The National Accountability Court (NAB) approached the Supreme Court for revocation of my bail and the then chief justice asked where the proof of corruption was. The NAB ran away from there," Shehbaz had claimed.

PM Shehbaz and CM Hamza were indicted in the Ramzan Sugar Mills case in 2020.

Ashiana Housing case

The anti-graft watchdog has accused PM Shehbaz of misusing his powers while being the chief minister of Punjab in an inquiry pertaining to Punjab Land Development Company (PLDC).

The inquiry conducted so far reveals sufficient evidence to prove the involvement of former chief minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif "in the commission of offences as defined under section 9(a) and Schedule of the National Accountability Bureau 1999.

The inquiry conducted states that Shehbaz Sharif as the chief minister of Punjab had unlawfully assumed powers of the Board of Directors of Punjab Land and Development Company (PLDC), misused his authority and acted in connivance with Fawad Hassan Fawad who at the time was Secretary Implementation to CM Punjab and others. Contracts awarded to M/s Ch. A Latif and sons for the development and infrastructure of Ashiana Iqbal Housing Project were illegally cancelled.

As the chief minister, Shehbaz Sharif in a meeting on October 21, 2014 unlawfully directed PLDC to entrust the project of Ashiana Iqbal Punjab to LDA. This decision of Sharif was illegal and mala fide as PLDC was the company which was established for undertaking such housing projects. Shehbaz is accused of illegally transferring this project to LDA, which was headed by his close aide Ahad Khan Cheema.

Shehbaz is also accused of working in connivance with other accused in the case and directed LDA to undertake Ashiana Iqbal Project under Public Private Partnership model. NAB states this was done in order to give “unlawful benefit to blue-eyed firm namely M/s Bismillah Engineering Service Company, which was a proxy firm to M/s Paragon City.”

GEO
 
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday filed plea in Lahore High Court seeking removal of PM Shehbaz Sharif and his cabinet members from their offices, ARY News reported.

The plea was filed by PTI’s Andleeb Abbas and Hassan Niazi. Centre, the Principal Secretary to PM, Election Commission of Pakistan and others have been made respondents.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders in their plea have stated that PM Shehbaz is facing money laundering cases while his cabinet members during visits to London met convicted man.
 
Bajwa has saved them before, he will try to save them again. Why have the Sharifs and Zardari cases not moved forward in 3 years? Any ideas lol
 
The assets owned by Suleman Shahbaz, the son of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, have been revealed before the special central court that is hearing a money laundering case against the prime ministers and his another son Hamza Shahbaz, ARY NEWS reported.

According to a report submitted before the court, Suleman Shahbaz, who is an absconder, owns a 200-canal land in Chiniot while he also have more than Rs37 million in his 29 bank accounts.

He also owns 190 million of shares in 13 companies, the report said.

It is pertinent to mention here that the special central court has decided to indict Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Hamza Shahbaz in a money laundering case filed by Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on September 07.

The court has summoned all suspects in the case including Shehbaz Sharif and Hamza Shahbaz on September 07 for indictment proceedings.

During the hearing today, Shehbaz Sharif and Hamza filed pleas for exemption from today’s hearing with the latter citing a backache while the former said that he was busy in Islamabad with regard to official affairs and could not reach on time due to bad weather conditions as his doctors have advised against traveling by road.

The FIA prosecutor also did not oppose the exemption plea, resulting in court accepting their pleas.

Moreover, FIA prosecutor submitted details of bank accounts and assets owned by Suleman Shahbaz and death certificate of a suspect, Malik Maqsood aka Maqsood ‘Chaprasi’.

Shehbaz and his family are facing charges of money laundering of billions of rupees using accounts of their sugar mills and employees, according to the FIA.
https://arynews.tv/assets-owned-by-pm-shehbaz-sharifs-son-revealed/
 
This is fixed game- they are worried that Kaptaan will be back and they need to kill the case with the help of Bajwa and corrupt judges
 
The indictment of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his son, former Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz, in a Rs16 billion money laundering case was delayed again on Wednesday after the premier and ex-CM filed fresh petitions seeking acquittal in the case.

They have already been granted pre-arrest bail in the case registered against them.

The special court of Lahore had summoned the duo to frame the charges today, however, the prime minister’s lawyer Amjad Pervez requested on his client’s behalf a one-day exemption from appearance citing his busy schedule in Islamabad due to flood-related activities.

PM’s counsel Pervez and Hamza’s lawyer Muhammad Aurangzeb appeared before the court today.


The premier and the former Punjab chief minister filed separate pleas seeking acquittal in the graft case.

“Mr Shehbaz Sharif cannot appear in court today due to important government engagements, hence the request for one day’s exemption should be granted. FIA has nominated respondents in a baseless case,” Pervez told the court.

Pervez said Pakistan had never witnessed such devastating floods. “All government departments and officials led by the prime minister are busy monitoring relief activities.”

The judge observed that sparing 10 minutes for a hearing was not so difficult.

The counsel responded that it was necessary for his client to visit Lahore for the hearing.

Hamza, on the other hand, showed up at the court.

The lawyers contended that there was no chance of conviction in the case and sought their clients’ acquittal from the graft case.

Under court orders, the accounts of the companies had also been frozen, PM Shehbaz’s lawyer said, urging the court to issue orders to unfreeze them.

The FIA’s counsel, who was present in the hearing, told the court that the agency had no objection to unfreezing the accounts.

After hearing arguments, the court issued a notice to the FIA and sought its response.

The hearing was adjourned till Sep 17.

The case
The FIA had in December 2021 submitted the challan against Shehbaz and Hamza to a special court for their alleged involvement in laundering an amount of Rs16bn in the sugar scam case.

“The investigation team has detected 28 benami accounts of the Shehbaz family through which money laundering of Rs16.3bn was committed during 2008-18. The FIA examined the money trail of 17,000 credit transactions,” according to an FIA report submitted to the court.

The amount was kept in “hidden accounts” and given to Shehbaz in a personal capacity, the report added.

This amount (Rs16bn) has nothing to do with the sugar business (of the Shehbaz family), it claimed. The money received from the accounts of low-wage employees by Shehbaz was transferred outside Pakistan via hundi/hawala networks, ultimately destined for the beneficial use of his family members, the FIA had alleged.

“Eleven low-paid employees of the Sharif group who ‘held and possessed’ the laundered proceeds on behalf of the principal accused, are found guilty of facilitating money laundering. The three other co-accused of the Sharif group also actively facilitated the money laundering,” the agency had said.

DAWN
 
NAB Amendment Bill: Courts return references against Shehbaz, Hamza, Gillani, Ashraf
Accountability courts have returned 50 major corruption cases against suspects, including cases against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif

ISLAMABAD: In a major development, accountability courts have returned 50 major corruption cases against suspects, including cases against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The relief has been provided in line with the amendments in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) laws. Accordingly, cases against PM Shehbaz, former chief minister Punjab Hamza Shehbaz, National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gillani have also been returned to NAB by the accountability courts.

The Ramzan Sugar Mill reference against PM Shehbaz and son Hamza is also among the cases sent back. NAB had filed this reference in 2019, alleging that the two suspects “fraudulently and dishonestly” caused Rs213 million loss to the national exchequer. Similarly, an accountability court returned six rental power plant (RPP) references against the NA speaker back to NAB. The bureau had alleged that Ashraf misused his powers in rental power projects being the minister for Water and Power during the PPP government.

The Universal Services Fund (USF) reference against PPP Senator Yousuf Raza Gillani in which he was accused of misusing authority in an illegal publicity campaign, was also returned.

NAB references against Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, former chief minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sardar Mehtab Abbasi and PPP Senator Rubina Khalid have also been returned.

Following the amendments of NAB rules, the references in Modaraba scams and company frauds have also been withdrawn from the accountability courts.

In August, the National Assembly passed the National Accountability (Second Amendment) Bill, 2022, which sought to exclude private transactions from the scope of NAB. Under the amended bill, the pecuniary jurisdiction of NAB had been fixed to only take action against mega scandals. Furthermore, it had been proposed that supplementary references can only be filed with the permission of the court to expedite the proceedings of the court within one year. As per the bill, the investigation officers shall not harass any person during the investigation or inquiry and they will confine their questions relevant to the investigation or inquiry or for extracting evidence.

Meanwhile, PTI leader Babar Awan said that justice in the country has gone to the gallows as Rs2,400 billion were looted and the looters have been given a clean chit.

The News PK
 
Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Friday appeared before Special Court Lahore in a Rs16 billion money laundering case filed by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) against him and his son Hamza Shahbaz.

At the outset of today’s hearing, the premier’s lawyer, Amjad Pervaiz said that the first information report (FIR) registered against his clients mentioned they were involved in money laundering worth Rs25 billion from 2008-2018 through fake companies.


ARY
 
A special central court judge fixed October 8 for further arguments on acquittal applications of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and former chief minister Punjab Hamza Shehbaz in the money laundering case of Rs16 billion.

As the proceedings commenced today, the judge asked about the absence of PM Shehbaz and his son Hamza, to which their counsel responded that the premier is about to reach court, while Hamza is unable to appear before the court owing to some health-related issues.
 
Money-laundering case: Shehbaz attends court hearing

LAHORE: The Special Court Central on Friday adjourned the hearing of a money-laundering case against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, his son Hamza Shehbaz and others till October 8 after the premier appeared before the court.

As the hearing commenced, the court questioned where Shehbaz Sharif and Hamza Shehbaz were. To which, their counsel replied that Shehbaz was on his way and would arrive shortly. He said there was a cabinet meeting, but the prime minister would appear in the court. However, Hamza had filed an application for exemption from attendance on medical grounds.

The counsel argued that in the FIR, it was alleged that money laundering of Rs 25 billion from 2008 to 2018 took place and his clients were accused of committing money laundering through bogus companies.

He said the allegations made in the FIR were general in nature. It was further alleged that the companies involved in money laundering belonged to the Sharif group. But Shehbaz was neither a director nor a shareholder of any company during the last 10 years.

The counsel argued that the FIR was registered after an inquiry and no role of Shehbaz had been written in the opening paragraph of the FIR. The prosecution added an account of 2 billion 80 crore rupees to the FIR, but in the final Challan, the account was removed. Earlier, this account was declared Benami account of Mushtaq Cheeni and Cheeni’s driver was accused of opening an account worth Rs 2.5 crore, but he was not made an accused.

The counsel said Mushtaq was not made an accused, but Suleman Shehbaz was made. According to the law, the same action should have been taken on Mushtaq Cheeni and a separate case should have been registered. It was surprising that the government had not taken any action on Mushtaq Cheeni’s account.

He argued that Suleman Shehbaz was independent in doing any kind of business. He alleged that the PTI home minister used prosecution and investigation agencies for political engineering, and the case was made against Shehbaz on political grounds. Owning movable and immovable property was the fundamental right of every citizen, he argued.

To which, the judge remarked that “it should be declared, otherwise it will be black money”. The counsel said if not declared, the FBR took action. He said this FIR was registered by the previous government. Moreover, in the FIR, the low-wage employees did not say that these accounts were opened at the behest of Shehbaz. He said the prosecution alleged that the record of the sale of sugar worth four billion rupees was hidden. But it was to be examined whether the FIA had the authority to act on this charge or not. He said the FIR showed that all the accounts were opened for the transactions of Suleman, but I am not Suleman’s lawyer. Masroor Anwar was not a personal employee of Shehbaz and was an employee of the company.

Meanwhile, Shehbaz took to the rostrum and sought permission from the court to say something, which was granted. He said: “As chief minister of Punjab, I took decisions that damaged the family’s sugar business. Due to his decisions, billions of rupees of the national kitty were saved.” Later, he was allowed to leave the courtroom.

The court adjourned the hearing. The counsel of Shehbaz will complete his arguments on the acquittal application of Shehbaz in the next hearing. The Federal Investigation Agency had registered a case against Shehbaz, Hamza and Suleman in November 2020 under Sections 419, 420, 468, 471, 34 and 109 of the Prevention of Corruption Act and R/W 3/4 of Anti-Money Laundering Act.

The News PK
 
MONEY LAUNDERING: COURT EXEMPTS PM SHEHBAZ FROM APPEARANCE


LAHORE: An accountability court on Tuesday granted permanent exemption from court appearance to prime minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif in a money laundering case, ARY News reported.

PM Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza are facing a case of a Rs16 billion in money laundering through fake companies.

Accountability court judge Qamar-u-Zaman heard the case.

At the start of today’s hearing, PM Shehbaz Sharif’s counsel submitted a plea seeking permanent exemption from the court appearance, which was accepted by the court.

The court allowed PM Shehbaz to appoint a representative for an appearance in court. Meanwhile, a reply has been sought from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) over Hamza Shahbaz’s plea of seeking exemption from court appearance.

Further hearing of the case has been adjourned until October 25.

In the last hearing, PM Shehbaz told the court that he, in his capacity as the chief minister of Punjab for 20 years, made decisions that “hurt” his family’s sugar business.

“I was requested to provide subsidy to sugar mills, but I refused. I refused as the amount (that would be used for subsidy) was of the poor people in Punjab,” PM Shehbaz Sharif had said.

The PM termed the money laundering case against him as “fake” and said that he never provided a subsidy to sugar mills.

ARY
 
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday fired off another broadside at his predecessor Imran Khan, calling him a “fraud and a liar” as he excoriated the PTI chief for “bidding in the PM House”.

“Pakistan’s prime minister was bidding [for people] in the PM house,” PM Shehbaz said outside an accountability court in Lahore.

“He had set up a market of buying and selling and consciences were being sold. Could there be a bigger crime than this by a sitting PM,” the prime minister asked as he referred to the recent audio leaks in which Imran can be allegedly heard speaking buying “five”.

Yesterday two more damning audio tapes purportedly featuring the PTI chief came to the fore, suggesting his plans for horse-trading of parliamentarians and using a “US cipher” to brand those who would vote against him in April’s confidence vote as traitors.


“He himself is saying that he bought five votes, from where did the money come, such a big crime, what will be a bigger crime than a PM saying ‘I have bought five votes’.

“From where did you arrange the money, from the national treasury or Farah Gogi and others giving jewels? From where?”

Both audio leaks, which have not been independently verified by Dawn.com and the veracity of which cannot be authenticated, seemed to be from April when Imran was in power and the no-confidence motion — that later led to his ouster — had been tabled in the National Assembly.

After the leaks emerged on Friday, the PTI chief clai*med in an afternoon rally that the PML-N was behind a “new game of fake audios”, whereas other party leaders said the leaked audios were a work of “cut and paste” in which bits of different conversations could be joined together.

However, Prime Minister Shehbaz said in a tweet later that the leaks had “exposed” Khan’s “hypocrisy” and his “anti-state actions” had made him unfit for high office.

Speaking to the media outside the accountability court today, Shehbaz said that the PTI chief was answerable to the nation. “I have proved through facts that you are a fraud and liar.

“You conspired against the nation […] the audios that have surfaced have shown your drama and lies.”

The premier went on to lambaste Imran for “lying day and night and bringing disrepute to Pakistan”.

“The way our relations with the US were destroyed […] we are now making efforts to mend relations. I have never ever seen a bigger conspiracy against Pakistan […] he is an example of the worst kind of mindset in the world.

“And I feel compelled to say that I have not seen in my life a bigger liar, conspirer, deceiver, and one with a fraud mentality,” he reiterated.

PM Shehbaz then urged the nation to think. “When we came into the government, we were at the brink of default. But we prevented that […] these are the bitter truths.”

The hearing
The prime minister on Saturday appeared before an accountability court in the Rs16 billion money laundering case against him and his son Hamza Shahbaz filed by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

During the hearing today, the premier’s counsel, Mohammad Amjad Pervaiz, said that Hamza had submitted a request, excusing himself from appearing before the court due to medical reasons.

The lawyer then presented his arguments in his client’s plea for acquittal, saying that FIA had removed charges of Rs9 billion from the challan.

“It said that the five accounts, linked to Rs9bn, were not associated with Suleiman Shehbaz or the Sharif groups but belonged to Mushtaq Cheeni. But the agency has not yet initiated any inquiry against him,” he said.

Pervaiz went on to contend that the kickbacks and bribes mentioned in the first information report (FIR) were “just mere stories” and never included in the challan.

“The court has recently dismissed a similar case against Moonis Elahi,” he added.

Here, the judge of the Special Court (Central-I), Ijaz Hassan Awan, inquired if the judgment of the Lahore High Court (LHC) in the PML-Q leader’s case had been issued.

“Yes, the judgment is here. We will present a verified copy of it in court,” Pervaiz replied, adding that indictment in the case against PM Shehbaz and his son was not possible nor could it continue any further.

“The prime minister appears before the court to uphold the law.”

At one point during the hearing, Judge Awan asked if Maqsood, one of the suspects in the case, was interrogated during the investigation. To this, the lawyer replied that Maqsood had passed away earlier this year.

“The FIA had not inquired him […] Maqsood used to pay tax and was also audited. But he is no longer here so nothing can be said,” he said.

Pervaiz further argued that FIA’s case was “political” and lacked evidence. “It is just a story written by the then-interior minister. It seems as if someone saw the Netflix series Money Heist and formed this case.”

Subsequently, PM Shehbaz took the rostrum and said that during his tenure as chief minister of Punjab, he gave up his salary and other benefits amounting to Rs100 million.

“I used to bear my own travelling expenses and am not even taking my salary as the prime minister,” he said. “I am giving up millions on one side, do you think I will do money laundering of Rs2.5 million?”

Here, the court took a 15-minute break.

When the hearing resumed, Pervaiz began his arguments against the charges on Hamza.

“There are no charges regarding bribery. Shehbaz and Hamza didn’t take any kickbacks,” the lawyer contended, elaborating that opening a benami account or operating it could not be counted as money laundering.

FIA hid statements of bankers deliberately, Pervaiz said.

For his part, the FIA lawyer said that bankers were not required by the agency, hence their statements were discluded from the challan.

Here, the judge asked for details of others accused in the case, apart from Shehbaz and Hamza. “The rest of the accused persons are charged with aiding and abetting,” Pervaiz replied, adding that there were only three main suspects in the case.

Meanwhile, the FIA prosecutor said that the case record was the same as it was before the “regime change”. “We didn’t make any changes to it even after Shehbaz Sharif was appointed the prime minister.”

Subsequently, the court adjourned the hearing till October 11 and instructed Pervaiz to prepare a table comprising the evidence against every charge in the case.

Charges against Hamza, Shehbaz
The FIA had in December 2021 submitted the challan against Shehbaz and Hamza to a special court for their alleged involvement in laundering an amount of Rs16bn in the sugar scam case.

“The investigation team has detected 28 benami accounts of the Shehbaz family through which money laundering of Rs16.3bn was committed during 2008-18. The FIA examined the money trail of 17,000 credit transactions,” according to an FIA report submitted to the court.

The amount was kept in “hidden accounts” and given to Shehbaz in a personal capacity, the report added.

This amount (Rs16bn) has nothing to do with the sugar business (of the Shehbaz family), it claimed. The money received from the accounts of low-wage employees by Shehbaz was transferred outside Pakistan via hundi/hawala networks, ultimately destined for beneficial use of his family members, the FIA had alleged.

“Eleven low-paid employees of the Sharif group who ‘held and possessed’ the laundered proceeds on behalf of the principal accused, are found guilty of facilitating money laundering. The three other co-accused of the Sharif group also actively facilitated the money laundering,” the agency had said.
 
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) prosecutor on Saturday gave a clean chit to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and former Punjab chief minister Hamza Shahbaz on the charges of money laundering and said there was 'no direct evidence' against the premier or his son in the Rs16 billion money laundering case.

The counsel representing the prime minister also concluded his arguments in the premier's acquittal application while arguments by the counsel of Hamza are yet to be completed in the case.

As the proceedings commenced, advocate Amjad Pervez argued that the FIA had removed the allegation of Rs9 billion from the challan which was submitted.

He informed the court that the FIA had told them that the allegation regarding the five bank accounts, amounting to Rs9 billion, were not linked either to the premier or his son Suleiman Shehbaz and belonged to another accused, Mushtaq Cheeni, against whom an investigation was not initiated.

"Those false tales of the kickbacks mentioned in the FIR had not been made part of the challan," Pervez further told the court.

Advocate Pervez quoted as reference the decision of Mooni Elahi’s recent case, adding this case is also similar in nature. The judge asked about the similarity between the two, to which Pervez replied that Elahi’s case also revolves around the allegation of transferring money through employees with lesser wages.

He further informed the court that PM Shehbaz and Hamza could not be punished as the record which had been collected or submitted before the court during the previous government, could not be relied upon.

Meanwhile, the premier took the rostrum and told the court that he had not been drawing his salary and TADA allowances during his last three tenures when he was serving as chief minister of Punjab.

"This amount is in millions, so how could I even think of earning more money fraudulently?"

After the PM's counsel completed the arguments on his acquittal application, the court adjourned proceedings for a short time.

The case was then adjourned till October 11.

FIA registered a case against PM Shehbaz and his sons Hamza and Suleman in November 2020 under sections 419, 420, 468, 471, 34 and 109 of the Prevention of Corruption Act and r/w 3/4 of Anti Money Laundering Act.

It is pertinent to mention that the FIA in December 2021 had submitted the challan against Shehbaz and Hamza over their alleged involvement in the Rs16billion money laundering case.

Read More Money laundering case transferred

The FIA’s report revealed 28 benami accounts of the Shehbaz family, which were found by the investigation team.

The agency also examined the money trail of 17,000 credit transactions. The report added up that the amount was kept in hidden accounts and given to Shehbaz in a personal capacity.

The FIA alleged that the money received from the accounts of low-wage employees by Shehbaz had been transferred outside Pakistan through hundi, giving benefits to his family.

Eleven low-paid employees of the Sharif family were found guilty of facilitating money laundering.

Express Tribune
 
PM Shehbaz, son Hamza acquitted in money laundering case
Court had accepted exemption from appearance application by premier, former Punjab CM

LAHORE:
A special central court acquitted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his son former Punjab chief minister Hamaza Shehbaz in the Rs16 billion money laundering case on Wednesday.

The special court judge had reserved the decision after hearing detailed arguments on acquittal application of both the accused persons. However, after acquitting the aforesaid, the court summoned the rest of accused for framing of charges in the case.

The premier and his son did not appear before the court. Their lawyer, Amjad Pervaiz, filed a request for exemption from appearance as the prime minister was busy with official engagements and Hamza was unwell.

PM Shehbaz took to Twitter to express his delight over the court verdict. “Despite the worst practices, use of state force and holding institutions hostage, we stand before the court, the law and the people vindicated,” he added.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)’s arguments revolved around expelling the impression that there is not even a single direct allegation upon Prime Minister Shehbaz and his son Hamza which could establish their guilt in the case.

FIA’s prosecutor through his arguments had given clean chit to the PM and his son arguing that the record shows that neither the amounts had ever been deposited nor withdrawn directly from PM Shehbaz and Hamza’s bank accounts. On judge’s queries regarding evidences of the transaction of the amounts if made on their directions, the FIA’s stance was that there is no evidence which could establish it.

Earlier, the PM’s counsel advocate Amjad Pervez had completed his arguments on PM’s acquittal application contending that FIA had removed allegation of Rs9 billion from the challan. The accounts belonged to another accused Mushtaq Cheeni and the FIA had not initiated investigation against him, he maintained.

“Those false tales of the kickbacks mentioned in the FIR had not been made part of challan,” he further told the court. On a point, he termed the tales of kickbacks as tales of what he called “Alif Laila”. It seems that this case had been woven inspiring the movie “Money Heist”, he further told the court.

FIA’s case

The Federal Investigation Agency had registered the case against Shehbaz Sharif and his sons Hamza Shehbaz Sharif (former chief minister Punjab) and Suleman Shehbaz in November 2020 under sections 419, 420, 468, 471, 34 and 109 of Prevention of Corruption Act and r/w 3/4 of Anti Money Laundering Act.

Challan

It is pertinent to mention that the FIA in December 2021 had submitted the challan against Shehbaz Sharif and Hamza Shehbaz over their alleged involvement in Rs16 billion money laundering case.

The FIA’s report released 28 benami accounts of the Shehbaz family which were detected by the investigation team through which money laundering of Rs16.3 billion was allegedly committed during 2008-18. The FIA examined the money trail of 17,000 credit transactions. The report added up that the amount was kept in hidden accounts and given to Shehbaz in a personal capacity.

The FIA alleged that the money received from the accounts of low-wage employees by Shehbaz Sharif had been transferred outside Pakistan through hundi giving benefits to his family. Eleven low-paid employees of the Sharif family were found guilty of facilitating money laundering.

Express Tribune
 
'PML-N weaker on legal front after Tarar's resignation'
Senior lawyers believe Tarar faced 'immense pressure' from establishment

ISLAMABAD:
The ‘romance’ between the incumbent regime and the superior bars has been thrown into uncertainty, seeding questions about the future of the PML-N-led coalition that has weathered its political storms due to strong legal backing, thanks to Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar.

Mr Tarar, who is considered close to the Sharif family since the Panamagate case proceedings, has been the legal eagle on whose wings the PML-N traditionally used to get relief in the courts.

The scenario, many dread, has changed as the party is now seemingly weaker on the legal front.The ties between the two can be gauged from the fact the party returned the "favours" by giving him a seat in the Senate for his services to the party.

According to some, Mr Tarar tendered his resignation citing ‘anti-establishment slogans’ raised at the recent Asma Jahangir Conference in Lahore. SCBA President Ahsan Bhoon revealed that Tarar was asked to clear the air about the episode through a press conference which he refused to do.

The president of the prestigious lawyers’ body admitted that this was one of the reasons the law minister decided to quit.Hours before he resigned, Tarar, as the law minister, supported Chief Justice Umar (CJP) Ata Bandial’s nominations of junior judges for elevation to the Supreme Court on the federal government instructions.

However, a lawyer close to Tarar revealed that he was not comfortable with the government's decision, therefore, he decided to tender his resignation.On the other hand, his rival lawyers within PML-N claim that he resigned due to pressure from “powerful circles” as they were upset at the anti-military slogans raised at the conference.

The law minister was also said to be under immense pressure for casting his vote in favour of some ‘junior judges’, along with CJP Umar Ata Bandial, who were being elevated to the Supreme Court.

Tarar is the leading member of the Independent Lawyers Group, whose representatives, especially SCBA President Ahsan Bhoon, have played an important role in changing the regime in earlier this year.

The SCBA president had moved a petition in the apex court for ensuring the process of the vote of no-confidence against ex-prime minister Imran Khan under Article 95 of the Constitution.

The body’s president also became a party in presidential reference seeking interpretation of Article 63-A of the Constitution.Moreover, when former NA deputy speaker Qasim Suri set quashed the resolution of no-confidence against Imran through his ruling, the SCBA president again requested the top court to take suo motu.Likewise, when the PML-N’s fate hanged in balance in the political heartland – Punjab – six presidents of the same Independent Lawyers Group took the rostrum to request the CJP to form a full court to examine deputy speaker Punjab Assembly Dost Mazari’s ruling.

The apparent backing got all the more pronounced when CJP Bandial on September 12 expressed wonder as to how the bar representatives could make such requests in a matter wherein they were not even a party.

Earlier, the Independent Lawyers Group, led by Tarar, had rescued the incumbent coalition parties when they were in opposition during the PTI government and went on to confront the mighty establishment’s role in matters concerning civil liberties.

In September 2020, amidst the perception of a fast-shrinking space for dissent and the right to express, the Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) — a mother institution regulating the affairs of the legal fraternity — constituted a seven-member Journalistic Defence Committee to protect the rights of journalists.The committee comprised members belonging to the Asma Group.T

arar remained at the helm of affairs and even nominated outspoken members such as Abid Saqi and Amjad Shah for the highest offices of lawyers’ bodies for taking an aggressive stance on human rights issues.Interestingly, when the regime changed, the Pakistan Bar Council dissolved its Journalists' Defence Committee after the cases against media workers declined.

The much-needed committee was disbanded even as complaints from the journalists regarding harassment by state agencies kept piling up. The representatives of the superior bars appeared to have no interest in this regard.

Disappointment

In view of the long list of services and legal battles that remedied PML-N’s flagging political fortunes, several members of the Independent Lawyers Group have expressed their disappointment with the ruling party’s leadership for not resisting the pressures from the establishment that wanted to squeeze out the resignation from the law minister.Some of them even questioned PML-N supreme leader Nawaz Sharif’s “meek” attitude in the whole scenario, asking what made him decide against intervening in this matter."

I think those who forced Azam Tarar to tender resignation, might have been unaware about his worth in the prevailing situation,” a senior lawyer reckoned.

He said that the superior bars have a huge influence on the judiciary and their voice on civil liberties carries a great deal of weightage. “The courts are compelled to intervene the bars speak up.”

It is speculated that following Tarar’s resignation, PBC may question the establishment’s role in matters pertaining to human rights and harassment of journalists.However, the Independent Lawyers Group's reputation has been badly affected on account of its association with the present regime. Therefore, the group is facing a tough time in the upcoming SCBA annual election.

It is being witnessed that contrary to the long history of lawyers throwing their weight behind anti-establishment politics, the Independent Lawyers Group is silent on the matter of civil liberties during the present regime.

Meanwhile, the Hamid Khan-led Professional Lawyers Group is getting an advantage in the upcoming SCBA annual elections on account of Asma Group’s association with the present regime.

Opponents of Tarar within the PML-N accuse him of persuading Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for supporting CJP Bandial's nominations of junior judges regarding their elevation to the SC.

They also claim that more than 50 per cent of law officers are appointed on the recommendation of bar representatives as they are not PML-N lawyers.Similarly, they believe that the government led by PML-N should have supported the stance taken by Justice Qazi Faez Isa and the other two judges for long-term objectives.

Express Tribune
 
Suleman Shehbaz, the son of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has decided to return to the country and sought protective bail on Wednesday from the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

In a petition to the IHC, filed by Suleman’s counsel Amjad Pervaiz, two weeks’ protective bail was sought in a money laundering case registered against him.

Suleman has stated in a petition that he is a "businessman" and has "never been a public office-holder. He also maintained that a "baseless" and "false case of money laundering" has been filed against him.

The petitioner also claimed that "all shares" remain registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and that he had never received a notice from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

"I have been residing in the United Kingdom since 2018," the petition stated, adding that the FIA filed a case against him in his absence.

The case

The FIA had registered a case against then-opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif and his sons Hamza and Suleman in November 2020 under Sections 419, 420, 468, 471, 34 and 109 of the Prevention of Corruption Act and r/w 3/4 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act.

Read FIA exceeded its domain by filing FIR for tweet: IHC

In December 2021, the agency had submitted a challan against Shehbaz and Hamza over their alleged involvement in a Rs16 billion money laundering case.

The FIA’s report had alleged that Shehbaz family had 28 benami accounts, which were detected by an investigation team.

They claimed that money laundering of R16.3 billion was committed during 2008-18 through these accounts. The FIA had examined the money trail of 17,000 credit transactions.

The report had added up that the amount was kept in hidden accounts and given to Shehbaz in a personal capacity.

The FIA had alleged that the money received from the accounts of low-wage employees by Shehbaz had been transferred outside Pakistan to his family through the illegal practice of hundi.

At least 11 low-paid employees of the Sharif family were said to have been 'guilty' of facilitating this alleged money laundering.

However, in October a special central court acquitted Prime Minister Shehbaz and his son Hamza Shehbaz in the Rs16 billion money laundering case.

Express Tribune
 
IHC BARS FIA FROM ARRESTING SALMAN SHEHBAZ

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday stopped Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) from arresting Salman Shehbaz, son of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif upon his arrival from London, ARY News reported.

The IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan passed the orders while hearing Salman Shehbaz’s plea, seeking protective bail.

At the outset of the hearing, Salman Shehbaz’s counsel said his client will return to Pakistan on December 11 via Saudi Airlines and pleaded the court to grant protective bail.

The IHC CJ remarked that the client should be in-person for protective bail.

Later, the court barred FIA from arresting Salman Shehbaz upon his arrival at the Islamabad airport and directed him to surrender himself before the IHC by December 13.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s son Salman Shehbaz decided to return to Pakistan.

It is worth mentioning here that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had written a letter to the UK government to hand over Salman, who was wanted by the accountability watchdog under money laundering charges and the Telegraphic Transfer scandal.

An accountability court in 2019 also issued non-bailable warrants for the arrest of Salman Shehbaz in a money laundering case.

ARY
 
A senior PTI leader on Saturday alleged that PML-N supremo and former premier Nawaz Sharif was given relief in the corruption cases against him because he had struck a “political deal” with the security establishment.

PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry told The Express Tribune that the Sharif family had opted for a “back door deal with the establishment” instead of facing the cases on merit.

He further maintained that the Sharif family had acquired relief as it became part of the “regime-change operation”.

The PTI leadership refers the “regime-change operation” to the time when its chairman Imran Khan was removed from the post of the prime minister through a no-confidence motion by the then united opposition and the incumbent ruling alliance in April this year.

To a question if Nawaz sealed the pact with former army chief Gen (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa as the time he had referred to was before the retirement of the ex-military head, Fawad replied that deals were not that straightforward and there were always grey areas.

The former federal information minister claimed that the Sharif family was “managing the FIA [Federal Investigation Agency]” and “influencing the courts”.

Also read: Nawaz says Daily Mail's apology 'proof' of innocence

He added that if the Sharif family believed that it was innocent, then it should not influence the courts.

“The cases against the Sharif family are based on solid evidence,” he maintained.

“Laws were amended, witnesses harassed, [and] lawyers changed to give clean chit to the Sharif family in the cases [against it],” Fawad insisted, adding that such “mockery of justice” was at an “unparalleled scale”.

The PTI leader’s remarks came in response to Nawaz’s statement where he commented on an apology issued by a British publication, The Daily Mail, on its "mistake" in an article it had published in 2019.

The PML-N supremo said the apology was proof of the Sharif family and his party’s innocence.

Talking to the media in London, Nawaz claimed that the “false allegations of money laundering, corruption, commission, kickbacks, and misuse of office” were made by the publication against his brother, incumbent Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, on the directives of PTI leaders Imran and Shehzad Akbar.

Nawaz, while referring to the PTI leadership, questioned why those embroiled in corruption from “head to toe” were levelling accusations against his family and the ruling alliance.

In his official statement, Fawad lashed out at Nawaz for escaping the country by lying to the court and said undoubtedly the Sharif family had introduced the culture of “corruption and fraud” in Pakistan.

Fawad claimed that “fugitive Nawaz and his cronies” had looted the country with both hands and escaped the country by lying to the courts.

He added that the PML-N supremo did not have the courage to face the courts.

The former federal information minister maintained that British journalists had already unveiled all the facts related to The Daily Mail issue, adding that no court proceedings were conducted of the case prepared by Shahzad Akbar against PM Shehbaz.

Fawad claimed that the cases against PM Shehbaz and his sons involving Rs24 billion were “ended by managing the FIA.”

He alleged that all illegal and inhuman actions in Pakistan were initiated by PML-N, adding that the practice of using the process of accountability against political opponents was also introduced by the party.

In addition, he claimed that the PML-N had used all immoral and illegal tactics against late former premier Benazir Bhutto but unfortunately, her heirs had now joined the ranks of those who were involved in her character assassination.

“The PTI did not believe in vengeful and vindictive politics,” he said while once again throwing the gauntlet to Nawaz that he should come to Pakistan and face his cases on merit.

Also read: Govt in collusion with ECP plotting Imran's ‘technical knockout’: Farrukh

He also claimed that Nawaz was not disqualified for taking salary from his son, but for not providing the money trail of properties worth billions in London.

Fawad maintained that Nawaz’s brother, PM Shehbaz, had ruined the country's “fast-thriving economy”.

He chided PM Shehbaz for issuing a message on the International Human Rights Day and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto’s video message about Facebook monetisation.

He said human rights’ record was the worst in the history of Pakistan and the agreement for monetisation of Facebook in the country was signed during the tenure of the PTI government.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">one prov to another under multiple false FIRs against him in total violation of all laws & basic human rights enshrined in our Constitution. In contrast an absconder responsible for billions in corruption & money laundering, Salman Shahbaz, is drycleaned & returns to Pak.</p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1601883973235384321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Everyone should remember this Hadith wherein our beloved Prophet Muhammad PBUH warned how injustice destroys nations. <a href="https://t.co/Q8D3YLq6SD">pic.twitter.com/Q8D3YLq6SD</a></p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1601883986481094658?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 11, 2022</a></blockquote>
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IHC grants 14-day protective bail to Suleman Shehbaz

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday granted 14-day protective bail to Suleman Shehbaz, son of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who returned to Pakistan two days ago after four years of self-exile in London.

Suleman is an accused in a money laundering case registered with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) while the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has nominated him in an assets-beyond-means reference.

Last week, the IHC had barred the two authorities from arresting Suleman in the assets-beyond-means reference while hearing his petition for protective bail that would enable him to surrender before a trial court.

However, IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq had observed that protective bail could not be granted without the physical presence of the accused and directed Suleman to surrender before the IHC by Dec 13.

During today’s hearing, Suleman appeared before the IHC alongside his lawyer Amjad Pervez. The lawyer told the IHC that his client was to appear before a special court in Lahore, which is hearing the Rs16 billion money laundering case against him.

The judge approved Suleman’s 14-day protective bail and ordered him to appear before the relevant court within the stipulated time.

Speaking to the media outside the IHC, Suleman said he had returned to Pakistan and surrendered before the court. “The game pursued by Imran Khan in the last four years is now known to the world,” he added.

He claimed that the former premier attempted to exert pressure on former FIA chief Bashir Memon to target his rivals. “Shahzad Akbar is also absconding because of the injustice he meted out to [political] opponents.”

Suleman highlighted that the UK’s National Crime Agency had also acquitted him and his father in a case related to suspicious bank transactions, terming the development to be a “slap on the face” of the PTI chief.

Cases against Suleman
The FIA had booked Shehbaz and his sons Hamza and Suleman in November 2020 under sections 419, 420, 468, 471, 34 and 109 of Prevention of Corruption Act and r/w 3/4 of Anti Money Laundering Act.

Arrest warrants had been issued for Suleman. However, in its report submitted to the court, the FIA had stated that the warrants could not be executed since Suleman was not present at his address and had gone abroad.

A trial court had also declared him a proclaimed offender, along with another suspect in a Rs16 billion money laundering case, in July this year.

According to the FIA report, the investigation team “detected 28 benami accounts of the Shehbaz family through which money laundering of Rs16.3bn was committed from 2008-18. The FIA examined a money trail of 17,000 credit transactions.”

The report added that the amount was kept in “hidden accounts” and “given to Shehbaz in a personal capacity”.

Also in June 2020, the NAB seized Suleman’s shares amounting to Rs2billion in 16 companies along with cash worth Rs4.1 million held in three bank accounts as well as 10 marlas agricultural land and pieces of land spreading over 209 kanals.

The NAB had also alleged that assets worth Rs3.3b had been identified back then as illegally accumulated by Suleman, his brother Hamza Shehbaz and their father Shehbaz Sharif.

DAWN
 
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) announced on Thursday that it would approach the Supreme Court against the acquittal of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz, PML-N leader Hamza Shehbaz and others in corruption cases.

"PTI has decided to file an application in the top court under Article 184 against the bail and acquittal of the Sharif family in various cases. The court has taken a suo motu notice and we want to become a part of the case," PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry said during a media talk, flanked by former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

Saying that the Sharif family have committed many 'robberies' on Pakistan's treasury, Fawad said that cases against Maryam, Shehbaz and Hamza should be opened and the top court should review the decisions.

He urged the Supreme Court to hear these cases at the same pace it heard cases against former prime minister Imran Khan regarding his disqualification.

Qureshi, on this occasion, said that PTI had handed over 123 resignations to then-speaker Qasim Suri, but the current National Assembly speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf showed 'favouritism' in accepting the resignations on the government's request and only chose resignations from 11 constituencies.

"If you wanted to accept [the resignations], you should have accepted all of them or you shouldn't have accepted a single one. Despite this, PDM candidates were defeated in these constituencies and we got 75 per cent of the seats," he added.

He said that the party has decided to resign from the assemblies and he, as vice chairman of the party, has written a letter to NA Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf to agree upon a time in the coming week for the verification of the resignations of the party members.

Fawad said that PTI has announced its resignation from NA seats, that they should be accepted, and that general elections be held as soon as possible. "Assemblies will be dissolved in any case, whether on December 17 or 23. The date will be decided by Imran Khan," he maintained.

Fawad said that after the dissolution, 70 per cent of the country would go into election mode. The country should go towards general elections as we're heading towards destruction under the present government's rule, he added.

The former information minister said that PTI has appealed to all the 'respectable circles' of the country for elections. "It is common knowledge where interference is happening in politics and where it is not," he added.

He said that there were high hopes from the new leadership of the armed forces to take Pakistan towards stability. "We hope that all institutions would play a role in taking Pakistan towards stability."

To a question, Qureshi said that the government was not at all serious about negotiations and wanted to escape elections. "They only want complete relief from the cases against them. Some of their cases are closed and some are pending. Until all the cases are over, the government will not want elections or the dissolution of the assemblies," he said.

Express Tribune
 
Suleman Shehbaz, the son of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, on Friday appeared before the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in the money laundering case registered against him.

According to the FIA spokesperson, Suleman has formally joined the investigation of the case registered in FIA ​Anti-Corruption Circle Lahore regarding benami accounts of Ramadan Sugar Mills.

Suleman was given a questionnaire after a preliminary investigation by the agency, to which he asked for some time to answer.

He will now submit a written response to questions raised by the FIA regarding the case.

The agency furthered that the investigation of the case registered regarding Ramzan Sugar Mills benami accounts is still ongoing.

Earlier this week, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) granted 14-day protective bail to Suleman in the money laundering case and a NAB reference.

The court had stopped FIA and NAB from arresting the petitioner, instructing Suleman to approach the relevant courts in Lahore for relief in the above cases.

Suleman returned to Pakistan after spending the past four years in self-imposed exile after the IHC barred agencies from arresting him upon arrival.

He had gone abroad in October 2018, after which a case of alleged money laundering was filed against him. Suleman then continued to live in the United Kingdom in self-imposed exile.
 
Suleman Shehbaz, son of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, was granted on Friday interim pre-arrest bail in two separate cases of money laundering and accumulating assets beyond known sources of income till January 7.

Suleman, who returned to Pakistan earlier this month after four years of self-exile in London, is an accused in a money laundering case registered with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) while the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has nominated him in an assets-beyond-means reference.

He has been declared a proclaimed offender in both cases.

Prior to his return, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had restrained the NAB and FIA from arresting him.
 
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Saturday cleared Suleman Shehbaz — son of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif — in the Rs16 billion sugar scam case, citing a “lack of evidence”.

The FIA granted absolution to the prime minister’s son in a challan submitted in Lahore’s special court, which took up a plea filed by Suleman seeking bail in the case.

Suleman, who returned to Pakistan on Dec 11 after four years of self-exile in London, was accused in Rs16bn money laundering case registered with the FIA while the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had nominated him in an assets-beyond-means reference.

He was declared a proclaimed offender in both cases.

DAWN
 
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IYPVN79hCkM" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>

From 39:30 to 40:05 tells us everything we need to know about this corrupt family. When Muzamil brought up one of the allegations(Low-level workers having billions in their accounts) against the Sharif family Suleman said it was just media hype and then he goes on a tangent about the "injustices" PMLN has faced.

When Muzamil tries to correct him Suleman just cuts Muzamil off. This entire podcast basically shows how corrupt the system in Pakistan really is. A guy like Suleman who can't defend himself on a non-confrontational podcast is not only free to roam around in Pakistan but also in a position of power.

Let's just ignore all of this and worry about Imran Khan legally selling a watch to someone.

No wonder the economy is in a mess.
 
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Saturday declared that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during his time as the chief minister of Punjab, did not obtain any benefit from the government funds or misused his public office in the Ashiana-i-Iqbal Housing Scheme case.

It also cleared other co-accused, including senior bureaucrat Fawad Hasan Fawad, former director general of the Lahore Development Authority Ahad Khan Cheema and Kamran Kiani —brother of former army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kiani — of any wrongdoing.

The corruption watchdog’s latest clean chit for the prime minister came a little more than a week after he, his family members and others were cleared in a money laundering case.

The Ashiana scandal first emerged in January 2018 when NAB accused Sharif, the then opposition leader, of ordering the cancellation of a contract given to successful bidder Chaudhry Latif and Sons for the Ashiana-i-Iqbal Housing Scheme, which led to the subsequent award of the contract to Lahore Casa Developers, a proxy group of Paragon City Private Limited, resulting in a loss of Rs193 million.

He was also accused of directing the Punjab Land Development Company to assign the Ashiana-i-Iqbal project to the Lahore Development Authority, which awarded the contract to Lahore Casa developers, causing a loss of Rs715m and the ultimate failure of the project.

NAB had also accused Shahbaz of directing the Punjab Land Development Company to award the consultancy services contract for the Ashiana-i-Iqbal project to Engineering Consultancy Services Punjab for Rs192m, while the actual cost was supposed to be Rs35m as quoted by Nespak, a renowned engineering consultancy.

Shehbaz as well as senior bureaucrat Fawad Hasan Fawad, former director general of the Lahore Development Authority Ahad Khan Cheema and several others were arrested later that year.

However, in February of the ongoing year, roughly a year after Shehbaz came into power and became the prime minister, a former Lahore Development Authority (LDA) chief engineer, who had previously become an approver of the Ashiana reference, retracted his prior statement.

Last month, an accountability court had issued notices to the NAB seeking its reply on acquittal pleas of the now Prime Minister Shehbaz and Cheema.

In its reply submitted to the accountability court today, the NAB stated that Shehbaz had referred the matter of awarding the Ashiana-i-Iqbal project to M/s Ch A Latif & Sons to the Punjab Anti-Corruption Establishment “in accordance with law with no malafide intent”.

Acquitting the premier of the allegation of misusing his office, the report says that the offence is not established under the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999.

Regarding the allegations against Kamran Kiani —brother of former army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kiani — the NAB has said: “Accused Kamran Kiani was also not involved in causing any loss of funds of government or embezzlement of funds.”

Discharging former principal secretary to prime minister Fawad Hassan Fawad from the case, the NAB stated that he was “not involved in receiving any bribe from Kamran Kiani to favour him by misusing his authority”.

The NAB further said that neither the accused nor the contractor derived any benefit from government funds or expenditures in the case.

Noting that there “may be some procedural flaws” in the formulation of the request for proposal (RFP) and the subsequent award of contract to M/s Lahore Casa Developers, the NAB said the “same are not intentional or with malafide intent”.

“It has been established that no pecuniary benefit is obtained by any public office holder by misusing his official position,” the corruption watchdog added.

Taking into account new and additional evidence, the NAB report says, “It is established beyond any doubt that there is no loss caused to the government exchequer.”

The NAB has requested the accountability court to make a decision on Shehbaz’s acquittal plea in accordance with law.
 
The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Wednesday declared Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's son-in-law, Haroon Yousaf Aziz, innocent in a money laundering case against him.

An accountability court heard the money laundering reference against the premier and others, and instructed that the accused be provided with a supplementary record.

The judge remarked that at the next hearing, the court will review the charge sheet based on the record.

The court adjourned the hearing on the reference till May 31, while PM Shehbaz’s representative appeared before the court to complete his presence.

The court also disposed of the application on the basis of the withdrawal of interim bail by Aziz.
 
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