A Lahore special central court has granted interim bail to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s daughter Rabia Imran and son-in-law Imran Yousaf in a corruption case. The decision is important as it temporarily halts arrest proceedings in a long-running accountability reference. The bail will remain in effect until May 7.
The case relates to alleged corruption in the Punjab Power Development Company. Judge Ashfaq Ahmed heard the applications and directed the Federal Investigation Agency not to arrest the accused during the bail period. Both individuals appeared before the court and marked their attendance.
Read more: Court grants interim bail to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s daughter
Moreover, the reference was originally filed by the National Accountability Bureau. It was later transferred to the FIA court after amendments to accountability laws. The accused had previously been declared proclaimed offenders in the case.
Additionally, the investigation includes allegations of receiving a bribe of Rs12 million and influencing appointments within the company. A former official of PPDC has already entered into a plea bargain in the case. The legal proceedings continue under revised jurisdiction.
Read more: Sharif family to record statements in Avenfield reference case today
Finally, earlier court orders had declared Imran Yousaf a proclaimed offender after failed arrest attempts in 2018. The case remains under judicial review as hearings proceed. Authorities have yet to conclude investigations into the allegations.