NAB to file second reference against Shahbaz

News Desk |

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) will file a reference against Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif regarding the Ramzan Sugar Mills (RSM). This would be the second NAB case against the PML-N president who is already in NAB custody and facing the Ashiana-i-Iqbal Housing Scheme case.

NAB told an accountability court in Lahore on Friday that a reference regarding Ramzan Sugar Mills was being prepared against the former Punjab chief minister, and it would be filed soon.

Shahbaz Sharif is accused of ordering the cancellation of the award of contact of Ashiana housing scheme to successful bidder Chaudhry Latif and Sons, which resulted in the loss of approximately PKR193 million.

NAB claims that Sharif when he was the Punjab chief minister, had ordered the construction of a drain in Chiniot district primarily to benefit the sugar mills owned by his sons. The accountability watchdog claims Rs200 million was spent for this purpose from public money.

Accountability judge Syed Najamul Hassan, while hearing the RSM case, inquired why Shahbaz Sharif was not present before the court. A NAB prosecutor informed the court that the opposition leader had been in Islamabad on transit remand since December 12 as the National Assembly speaker had issued his production orders to enable him to attend the NA session and chair meetings the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

Read more: New chairman NAB asserts his authority; blasts Shahbaz Sharif

Advocate Amjad Pervez, the counsel for Sharif, said a medical board had advised his client one-week rest in the light of his MRI test report. The judge adjourned the hearing of the case till Jan 10. NAB had arrested Sharif in the Ashiyana housing case in Lahore on October 5.

Shahbaz Sharif is accused of ordering the cancellation of the award of contact of Ashiana housing scheme to successful bidder Chaudhry Latif and Sons, which resulted in the loss of approximately PKR193 million. Sharif has denied all the allegations.

Read more: Shahbaz Sharif Arrested: What Next?

Currently, Sharif is in Islamabad on transit remand where his official residence in the Ministers’ Enclave has been declared a sub-jail.