NAB approves filing graft reference against Nawaz, Shehbaz Sharif

ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) approved filing of a fresh corruption reference against PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, ARY News reported on Thursday.

The graft reference is expected to be filed in an accountability court over next two days.

This will be the fourth graft reference against former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif after his ouster. The new reference is related to an alleged illegal construction of a two-way road from Raiwand to the Sharif family residence back in 2000 which caused a loss of Rs125 million to the national exchequer.

On the other hand, incumbent Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif may face corruption charges, if the Raiwind Road reference is filed in the court after dismissal of NAB’s plea to reopen Hudaibiya Paper Mills case against Sharifs.

In a statement, the anti-corruption watchdog said a decision of approving the reference against Sharifs was made at an executive board meeting presided over by NAB chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal.

The moot also decided to launch a probe into affairs of the controversial Nandipur power project and the alleged involvement of two former Prime Ministers, Raja Pervez Ashraf and Yousuf Raza Gilani, in abuse of authorities and delaying the project, which resulted in loss of Rs113 billion to the national exchequer.

The board meeting approved the filing of as many as six corruption references, four inquiries and 11 investigations.

NAB will also file a graft reference against former Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani and others for allegedly obtaining funds worth Rs1.8 billion as compensation.

It merits mentioning here that Nawaz Sharif, his children and son-in-law are already facing trials in three graft references filed against them in compliance of Supreme Court’s orders in Panama Papers case.