Lahore’s special court has adjourned the hearing in the money laundering case against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shehbaz.
The premiere himself appeared before the court seeking exemption because of important matters to be attended to. The special court (central) adjourned the hearing in the case till October 8.
PM Shehbaz and Hamza had secured bail in the case after submitting surety bonds of Rs1 million each.
Hamza Shehbaz had sought exemption from appearance on medical grounds.
PM Shehbaz told the court that a fake case was registered against him; further adding that he had made several decisions in people’s interest, even by hurting his family business in the process.
At the start of today’s court proceedings, PM Shehbaz’s lawyer Amjad Pervez told the court that his client will appear in a while. Shortly after, the premier arrived at the court for the hearing.
The lawyer maintained that the allegations were general in nature; adding that Shehbaz Sharif was neither director nor shareholder of the companies of the Sharif Group that have been accused of being involved in money laundering.
He also maintained that the first paragraphs of the FIR don’t mention Shehbaz Sharif. He also stated that it was up to an individual whether to keep the moveable or immovable property.
Judge Aijaz Awan, at this, replied that they should declare or otherwise it would become black money.
Questioning the jurisdiction of FIA, the lawyer argued that the FBR or the income tax department could take notice of it. He also stated that the name of Sharif Group was used for political purposes.
PM Shehbaz also spoke to the court after taking permission. He said, “I have some important business in Islamabad. If you excuse me, I will leave. But before that, I want to say something.” He termed the money laundering case against him as fake further saying that he never provided a subsidy to sugar mills.
FIA had submitted a challan against Shehbaz and Hamza in December 2021 for their alleged involvement in laundering Rs16 billion in a sugar scam.
