Ramzan Sugar Mills case: Counsel seeks 3-week exemption of Shehbaz from hearing

LAHORE: The counsel of opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif pleaded for three weeks’ exemption of his client from appearing in Ramzan Sugar Mills case during the case hearing in accountability court on Tuesday (today), ARY News reported.

Accountability Judge during the hearing questioned, how Shehbaz Sharif could leave the country without permission?

The counsel replied Shehbaz Sharif’s name removed from the exit control list (ECL) on the orders of high court. “Whether the permission of this court was not necessary to go abroad? the court questioned.

“Legally, no court permission required to any accused to go out of the country,” the counsel replied.

The counsel of Shehbaz Sharif pleaded for three weeks’ exemption of his client from appearing in Ramzan Sugar Mills case. He said Sharif will undergo medical checkup till May 08.

The counsel said his client required temporary exemption adding that for a permanent exemption from appearing in the hearing an accused required the court’s permission.

The court has also summoned Shehbaz Sharif in Ashiana Housing Scheme case.

Shehbaz Sharif’s son and the Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Hamza Shehbaz, is also a co-accused in the Ramzan Sugar Mills case.

In the previous hearing, both Shehbaz Sharif and son Hamza Shehbaz were indicted in the Ramzan Sugar Mills reference and the court had summoned witnesses to record their statements in the case today.

Both of them had pleaded not guilty to the charges framed against them, which involve the misuse of authority and illegal use of public funds.