LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has granted bail to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President and leader of the opposition in National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif in assets beyond means case.
A three-member bench led by Justice Ali Baqir Najfi announced the verdict on bail petition of Shehbaz Sharif. Justice Aalia Neelum and Justice Shehbaz Rizvi were the other members of the bench.
During the proceedings, the court had made it clear to the counsel of Shehbaz Sharif that they must say anything but after receiving the signed copy of the judgments.
NAB prosecutor said that TTs came in the name of Shahbaz Sharif's wife Nusrat Shahbaz, son Salman Shahbaz, Hamza Shahbaz and daughter Rabia.
The court inquired as to what investigations were carried out on the TTs and what details came to light, to which the NAB prosecutor said that those who came by name said that they had never left the country.
Shahbaz Sharif's lawyers said that our client's name is not mentioned in it.
The NAB prosecutor said that Shahbaz Sharif is the main accused in the money laundering case. Hamza Shahbaz, Salman Shahbaz and other family members are guilty of aiding in money laundering. It has been 7 months since Shahbaz Sharif was arrested. The accused should be granted bail.
Shahbaz Sharif's lawyer Azam Nazir Tarar said that NAB has investigated 56 companies, Shehbaz Sharif saved over Rs1,000 billion of national exchequer and never received his pay as a member of National Assembly.
No evidence was available against Shehbaz Sharif in money laundering case and none of the witnesses accused PML-N leader of the ill practice, he added.
Upon completion of arguments, the Court granted bail to Shahbaz Sharif and ordered him to submit two bonds of Rs 50 lakh each.
It may be recalled that earlier in the bail case of Shahbaz Sharif, Chief Justice Qasim Khan had constituted a full bench on the basis of a dissenting note of Justice Asjad Javed Gharal of the Lahore High Court.