News Desk |
A team from the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Saturday reached to the Shahbaz family’s 96-H Model Town residence in Lahore to arrest Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Hamza Shahbaz in the case pertaining to assets beyond means.
NAB team is being accompanied by a contingent of police officials and Rangers personnel. “We have the arrest warrant, and we will not leave without Hamza Shahbaz in our custody,” NAB’s deputy director told media outside the residence.
Party workers have clashed with police and as per local media reports, a worker has been arrested too.
NAB officials have said that they will not enter his house and that the PML-N leader should turn himself in. According to NAB, the team has evidence and arrest warrant against Hamza. NAB sources revealed that Hamza Shahbaz had declared property worth 2 crore in 2003 while his assets grew 2000 percent during the PML-N government.
The opposition leader had illegally laundered Rs85billions abroad, the sources told. The officials claimed that they have already detained Sharif family‘s facilitators while more arrests are also likely.
Read more: Hamza Shahbaz’s assets grew 2000% during PMLN govt: NAB sources
Workers Clash with NAB Team
Police have cordoned off the area and blocked all the roads leading to Hamza’s residence. Dozens of PML-N workers and party leaders have gathered at the main entrance to the house and made a human wall to avoid the arrest of leader.
Party workers have clashed with police and as per local media reports, a worker has been arrested too.
Hamza Challenges NAB Arrest Warrants
Hamza Shahbaz has challenged NAB arrest warrants against him in the Lahore High Court (LHC). Lahore High Court has fixed the plea for hearing seeking pre-arrest bail of Hamza Shahbaz.
Read more: NAB raids Hamza Shahbaz’s residence
A two-member bench of the LHC comprising Justice Malik Shehzad and Justice Waqas Rauf will take up the case for hearing on April 8. Petitioner took the plea that NAB conducted illegal raid at his home. LHC has already said information be given before arrest.
Petitioner prayed court his arrest warrants should be suspended immediately and action should be taken against NAB under contempt of court.