LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif presented a letter from the Chinese Consul-General in Lahore during hearing at an accountability court.
According to the letter shared by the party on social media, the Chinese diploms credited the former chief minister Punjab for realising the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects in the province, calling him “an old friend of China and Chinese people.”
The letter said the Chiese diplomat was “deeply impressed by your devotion to the construction of CPEC on the position of then Chief Minister of Punjab.” It said that Shehbaz Sharif “made the CPEC projects in Punjab realized, who not only created impressive ‘Punjab Speed’ by also embodied the profound bilateral relationship.”
It further said the PML-N is always a great friend of the Chinese Communist Party whether it is in power or an opposition party. The Chinese diplomat hoped he will be will continue to work as always to “promote the friendship of our two parties, our two nations and our two peoples.”
Chinese Consul General’s letter to PML-N President Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif. Appreciation of his services to the CPEC project. Special mention of “Punjab Speed”. #ChinaPraisesPMLNPunjabSpeed pic.twitter.com/VTr2O3i5Hq
— PML(N) (@pmln_org) January 26, 2021
During the hearing, NAB alleged that the former chief minister issued directives to use Rs200 million from public funds to construct a drain in District Chiniot primarily for the use of the sugar mills owned by his sons.
His son, Hamza Shehbaz who is also under arrest in the case, were both were brought to the accountability court in separate vehicles by Kot Lakhpat jail officials on Tuesday with PML-N workers gathered outside the judicial complex to welcome them.
The presiding judge asked whether he had something to say.v Shehbaz replied that he has brought a letter sent to him by the Chinese Consul-General in Lahore and began reading the letter before the court.
The PML-N president said he been facing a barrage of accusations for two years and yet the Chinese Consul General is praising his work as a chief minister.
NAB prosecutor objected to Shehbaz Sharif reading the contents of the letter during the hearing, calling it irrelevant to the ongoing case and a waste of the court’s time. The judge said he had already directed Shehbaz Sharif to stay on topic.
