LHC to hear Shehbaz Sharif's bail plea on daily basis

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to submit its reply on a bail petition of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shehbaz Sharif by February 06, ARY News reported.

The bench also said that the case will be heard on day to day basis.

Shehbaz Sharif in his petition sought bail in Ashiana and Ramzan Sugar Mills cases against him.

The LHC bench expressed anger over NAB’s failure to submit its reply in the court and seeking more time.

The court also allowed the defence lawyer to present his arguments.

The bench remarked that the NAB won’t be allowed extended date if it will fail to submit its reply. The case will be heard on day to day basis, the judges said.

The defence lawyer presented his initial arguments before the court. The court asked the lawyer that it has been alleged that the Paragon was given benefit. Who is owner of Paragon, the bench asked.

“Paragon is not owned by my client,” the counsel said. It is owned by Nadeem Zia and Shehbaz Sharif is not even acquainted with him.”

Sharif is facing inquiries into cases of Ashiana Housing Scheme and Ramzan Sugar Mills. A two-member bench of the LHC had sought record of Shehbaz’s incarceration from director general National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

During the hearing, the court said Punjab Land Development Authority (PLDA) had the authority to award contracts for Ashiana Housing project. but, Shehbaz Sharif, transferred these powers to the Lahore Development Authority (LDA).

The defence lawyer told the court that PLDC transferred its powers to the LDA in 2014. He claimed that neither an inch of land nor a penny was wasted in the project.

The court adjourned the hearing till Feb 6.

The PML-N leader had filed the plea through his counsels Azam Nazir Tarar and Amjad Pervez.

“Since I am under treatment for my health condition is not good, therefore the court should release me on bail,” he pleaded to the high court.

Shehbaz Sharif said the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had made the case against him on political grounds and in violation of the law.

The NAB had arrested Shehbaz Sharif on October 5 last year under corruption charges in Ashiana Iqbal scandal.

Sharif has also to face pending inquiries about Ramzan Sugar Mills and the assets beyond his means of income.

The PML-N leader was elected as the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of the Parliament recently and has hectic schedule to chair the key parliamentary body.

The leader of the opposition in the National Assembly was recently advised by doctors to resort to complete bed rest after deterioration of his health.

Sharif, according to the medical reports, was suffering from severe backache following which he excused himself to chair the meeting of the parliamentary committee upon the medical advice.