LAHORE, Jun 11 (APP):A special court on Saturday reserved its verdict on pre-arrest bail pleas of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz and others in a case registered by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) against them.
Special Judge Central Ijaz Hassan Awan conducted the case proceedings, wherein Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz and others appeared.
At the outset of the proceedings, FIA’s Prosecutor Farooq Bajwa submitted a report about the arrest warrants of Suleman Shehbaz, Malik Maqsood, and Tahir Naqvi. He submitted that the accused were not available at the given addresses.
At this, the court observed that media had broadcast news about the death of accused Malik Maqsood. Whether the news is correct, it questioned.
To which, the prosecutor replied that a letter had been written to Interpol for the confirmation of death.
He submitted that after receiving Interpol’s reply, the court would be apprised in this regard.
At this stage, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif came on the rostrum and sought permission for briefing about case facts.
After getting permission from the court, he submitted that FIA officials twice visited him in jail and he verbally briefed them about all facts. He submitted that all cases against him were decided on merit and he was cleared.
Shehbaz Sharif submitted that serious allegations were levelled against him and he attended dozens of proceedings.
He submitted that it appeared that the FIA filed the challan with a delay as it wanted to arrest him. Shehbaz Sharif submitted that he was neither director nor owner or share holder of the sugar mills.
He submitted that as a result of his actions, sugar mills of his family faced loss. He submitted that he had given preference to the common people rather than his own family members and saved billions of rupees of the nation.
He submitted that if he was interested in money laundering or corruption then how could he cause loss to sugar mills of his family.
He submitted that he could give subsidy to sugar mills of his family and he had legal powers for it.
He questioned whether he would strike deal with Mushtaq Cheeni, adding that the case was a bundle of lies.
Advocate Amjad Pervaiz argued that it was sufficient for bail of Shehbaz Sharif and Hamza Shehbaz that they were investigated by FIA officials in jail.
However, the FIA’s prosecutor opposed the pleas and advanced arguments in this regard.
The counsel for co-accused also submitted their arguments in writing.
Subsequently, the court reserved verdict on pre-arrest bail pleas of Shehbaz Sharif, Hamza Shehbaz and others.