Lahore Court Grants Acquittal in Rs7 Billion Money Laundering Case, Except for One
In a significant development, an accountability court in Lahore made a crucial decision on Thursday, granting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his son, Hamza Shahbaz, acquittal in a high-profile Rs7 billion money laundering case. The court also acquitted all co-accused, including Nusrat Shehbaz (wife), Javeria Ali (PM’s daughter), Muhammad Usman, Masroor Anwar, Shoaib Qamar, Qasim Qayyum, Rashid Karamat, Ali Ahmed, and Nisar Ahmed, with the exception of one individual.
Arrest Warrant for PM’s Daughter:
However, the court issued a perpetual arrest warrant for PM Shehbaz’s daughter, Rabia Imran, who had been declared an absconder in connection to the case. The accused had filed petitions seeking acquittal, arguing that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) failed to present any substantial evidence against them. NAB investigators also confirmed the absence of evidence.
Verdict Based on Lack of Evidence:
In a verdict announced earlier this month, the court stated that it had no option but to acquit the accused, as NAB had asserted that there was insufficient evidence to proceed with the case against them. The money laundering case was filed by the anti-graft watchdog during an ongoing inquiry that began in 2018, and it gained momentum in August 2020 when PM Shehbaz held the position of opposition leader in the National Assembly.
Legal Proceedings and Bail:
Subsequently, PM Shehbaz Sharif was arrested by NAB after the Lahore High Court rejected his bail application on September 29. An accountability court indicted the prime minister, Hamza, and the other accused over a month later, on November 11, 2020. However, Shehbaz Sharif was granted bail in April 2021.
Key Points:
- Lahore’s accountability court grants acquittal to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shahbaz in a Rs7 billion money laundering case.
- The court also acquits all co-accused, except for PM Shehbaz’s daughter, Rabia Imran, who is issued a perpetual arrest warrant as she remains an absconder in the case.
- The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) investigators confirm the absence of evidence, leading to the court’s decision to acquit the accused.
Published in PakWeb, July 20, 2023.
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