Daily Times

The Lahore High Court on Tuesday rejected Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly Hamza Shahbaz’s bail plea in a case concerning illegal assets and money laundering.

Subsequently, the development has allowed the NAB to further investigate into corruption charges against him, and in this regard, a special team has shifted him to the bureau’s headquarter at Thokar Niaz Baig in Lahore.

Meanwhile, scores of PML-N supporters gathered at the Mall Road, expressed anger and chanted full throat slogans against the government.

Hamza’s counsel said the money in question was transferred into his accounts before money laundering laws were introduced.

He said PML-N leader was kept in custody for 189 days and no reference was filed against him. The investigators had neglected section 18 of NAB Ordinance at the time of launching a probe into money laundering case, he added.

At which, Justice Mazahir Ali Akbar Naqvi said that the court is not satisfied with assets details of Hamza Shehbaz.

“We have to now look over the asset details of Hamza’s father, brother and sister as the son received gifts from them,” remarked LHC judge.

The court remarked that Hamza Shahbaz failed to provide sufficient proof regarding the source beyond income. The money laundering law will be abolished if court would accept all your statements.

On April 17, 2019, Hamza was granted pre-arrest bail by the LHC, which also restrained NAB from arresting him in cases pertaining to ownership of assets beyond means until further notice. Hamza was also directed to submit bail bonds worth Rs10 million at the time.