An accountability court in Lahore on Monday adopted a statement by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for permanent exemption from attendance at hearings in Case Ramzan sugar factories.
National Accountability Bureau (NAB) filed a certificate against Shehbaz and his son Hamza Shehbaz in 2019, claiming they are “fraudulent and dishonest” caused loss in the amount of 213 million rubles. national Treasury Department.
According to the NAB, when Shehbaz was the head of the Punjab minister, he issued a directive for building of drain in The Chiniot area primarily benefited the sugar mills owned by his sons.
The Transplant Squad said it received “enough incriminating” material. material and evidence during the investigation.
In 2019, Shehbaz was arrested by the NAB. in connection with case but was later released on bail by the Lahore High Court (LHC).
At the beginning of At today’s hearing, Judge Sajid Awan accepted Hamza’s application for a one-temporary exemption from proceedings.
Shehbaza counselAmjad Pervez, informed the judge that accountability the court had already granted the Prime Minister a permanent exemption from participating in hearings in another case, claiming that his client “never abused” him.
He asked for permanent release in the present case, and also requested the appointment of a lawyer for Shehabz. “Shehbaz Sharif has now become prime minister by the grace of God. He has responsibilities to fulfill. He constantly appeared before the courts.
For its part, NAB counsel, Asad Malik, opposed the application, stating that medical certificates or other required documents were not attached.
He claimed that there was no progress in a business for in last six months, and if the court accepts the application, it will affect the trial.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz told the court that he never missed a hearing without a valid reason.
“God has placed a great responsibility on to me. I hold meetings on important things, including [talks with] IMF (International Monetary Fund), Gwadar and annual budget. I would never apply for [permanent] liberation, but now I’m fulfilling national duty.”
He assured the court that he would appear before him whenever he was called.
“I caught last flight from the United Kingdom to arrive in Pakistan and stand trial [in May]”, he said, referring to 16 billion rupees. money laundering case registered against its Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
“Ramzan’s sugar factories are not mine. areaMPA submitted a request for drain. If I wanted approve it for my children, wouldn’t I have done this 20 years ago?” Shehbaz said.
He added that the scheme was approved by the provincial cabinet. The Prime Minister recalled that the owners of sugar factories sought instructions from the Supreme Court. for him to reduce sugarcane prices, but he refused to do so.
“All my actions benefited the province. people” Shahbaz said.
“Then the chief secretary wrote me that sugar production is sufficient and [the surplus] should send to other provinces. I declined the request to export sugar.”
The Prime Minister has spoken son It was set up mill for Production of ethanol, but he introduced an excise tax duty on It. Sugar refinery owners challenged decision in Supreme Court, he said, adding that he fought the case through the then advocate general.
“My family lost 2.5 billion rupees because of my decisions. It was PTI government what removed excise duty.”
However, the judge noticed that Shehbaz’s testimony was shifting towards politics while the court had to remain within the law.
Subsequently, the judge accepted the application for release and adjourned the case until 5 July.
