ISLAMABAD: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has demanded the arrest of Shehbaz Sharif and Hamza Shehbaz in a money laundering case.
According to details, the money laundering case of Rs 25 billion against PM Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz through Sugar Mills was heard in Special Central Court Lahore, where the prime minister and Punjab Chief Minister appeared before the court.
The Lahore Special Court completed the attendance of all the accused while Special Prosecutor Farooq Bajwa filed a supplementary challan against Shehbaz Sharif and Hamza Shehbaz. Lawyer Amjad Pervez, while giving arguments in the special court, said that no money was found in the personal accounts of Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz. All transactions are legal and transactional.
Presenting arguments to the court, the lawyer said that the money laundering case was framed with malice by the previous government. Both the father and son were in jail when they were interrogated. It may be recalled that Punjab Chief Minister’s Adviser Atta Tarar was also present in the courtroom during the proceedings.
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The court questioned the FIA about the need to arrest the accused, to which the FIA prosecutor replied that the further role of the accused was yet to be proved. Therefore, the arrest of the accused is required. Farooq Bajwa further said that two accused including CFO Usman were not interrogated.
Later, after seeking permission from the court, PM Shehbaz Sharif and Hamza Shehbaz left the court. It may be recalled that the court had today summoned Shehbaz Sharif and Hamza Shehbaz for indictment and had directed the FIA to submit a supplementary challan at the last hearing in this regard. Shehbaz Sharif and Hamza Shehbaz are accused of money laundering through Al Arabiya Sugar Mills and Ramzan Sugar Mills. According to the FIA, Hamza Shehbaz Ramzan was the CEO of Sugar Mills.
