In a significant development, an accountability court in Lahore has accepted the plea of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shahbaz, acquitting them of all charges in a Rs7 billion money laundering case.
The court also cleared all co-accused, which included Hamza, Nusrat Shehbaz (wife), Javeria Ali (PM’s daughter), Muhammad Usman, Masroor Anwar, Shoaib Qamar, Qasim Qayyum, Rashid Karamat, Ali Ahmed, and Nisar Ahmed, except for one individual.
However, the court issued a perpetual arrest warrant for PM Shehbaz’s daughter, Rabia Imran, who had been declared an absconder in the case.
The accused had filed petitions seeking acquittal, arguing that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) failed to present any evidence against them.
The NAB investigators themselves confirmed that no evidence was found during the inquiry.
In its verdict, which had been reserved earlier this month, the court explained that it had no option but to acquit the accused, as the NAB stated it had nothing substantial against them.
The NAB had initiated the inquiry in 2018 and filed the reference in August 2020 when PM Shehbaz was serving as the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly.
Following the rejection of his bail plea by the Lahore High Court on September 29, 2020, Shehbaz Sharif was arrested by NAB.
The accountability court finally indicted the prime minister, Hamza, and other accused on November 11, 2020.
Subsequently, in April 2021, Shehbaz Sharif was released on bail.
This recent acquittal marks a turning point in the long-standing case that had been a matter of great concern for the accused and their supporters.
The decision of the accountability court brings relief to the Prime Minister and his son, as they can now focus on their responsibilities and continue their political activities without the looming shadow of this case.
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It remains to be seen how the legal proceedings will unfold regarding the perpetual arrest warrant for Rabia Imran, and whether this will have any impact on the Sharif family in the future.
As for now, PM Shehbaz and his son Hamza can take some respite from the legal battle and concentrate on their duties to serve the people of Pakistan.
