Daily Times

An accountability court on Saturday directed former Punjab chief minister Shehbaz Sharif’s counsel to give the court a ‘final date’ of his return by May 28.

During the hearing of Ramzan Sugar Mills and Ashiana Housing Scheme corruption cases, in which the PML-N president is prime suspect, Judge Jawwad-ul-Hassan also asked Shehbaz’s lawyer if his client’s treatment is not possible in Pakistan.

Counsel for leader of the opposition in National Assembly told the accountability court that Shehbaz will return after Eidul Fitr. “Shehbaz is being treated by doctors in London. It is not possible to treat him in Pakistan,” the lawyer further told the court, adding that the doctors here in Pakistan had recommended that his client must seek treatment abroad. However, he told the court that Shehbaz will be back after Eidul Fitr as he has an appointment with his doctor in Pakistan on June 7.

Shehbaz’s lawyer then appealed that the court accept a two-week exemption plea on behalf of his client as he has appointments on May 28 and June 7. The judge demanded evidence to justify Shehbaz’s visit to London. “Which document do I have which shows that [Shehbaz’s] medical treatment is not possible in Pakistan?” he asked.

Shahbaz’s lawyer insisted that doctors in Pakistan had suggested the PML-N president to go to London for medical treatment. “He is not asking for a permanent exemption, it’s just a matter of two weeks,” the lawyer said. He pointed out that despite Shehbaz’s absence, the trial of the case did not stop.

National Accountability Bureau Prosecutor Waris Ali Janjua complained that even though the rest of the suspects named in the references are present before the court, the trial is not progressing due to Shehbaz’s absence. Janjua further said that the former Punjab chief minister has not taken the court’s permission before leaving.

The court accepted Shehbaz Sharif’s exemption request and directed him to appear before the court right after June. The hearing was later adjourned until May 28.

The opposition leader had gone to London for a ‘quick visit’ over a month ago to meet his grandchildren and to undergo a medical checkup and has not returned since.

In the Ashiyana housing scam, Shehbaz Sharif is accused of ordering the cancellation of a contract given to successful bidder Chaudhry Latif and Sons for the low-cost housing scheme, which led to the subsequent award of the contract to Lahore Casa Developers, a proxy group of Paragon City Private Limited, resulting in a loss of Rs 193 million to the national exchequer. In the Ramzan Sugar Mills corruption case, Shehbaz and his son Hamza Shehbaz are accused of ‘fraudulently and dishonestly’ causing a Rs 213 million loss to the national exchequer.