Court acquits Sharifs in money laundering case

Published September 19, 2014
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (L) and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif (R). — File photo/AFP
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (L) and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif (R). — File photo/AFP

RAWALPINDI: An accountability court on Friday cleared Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif of all charges pertaining to a money laundering reference filed 14 years ago.

During a hearing presided by Justice Anwar Ahmed at the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) court, Sharif brothers, along with Kulsoom Nawaz, Maryam Nawaz and Hamza Shahbaz, were acquitted from all corruption charges in relation to Raiwind palace, Hudaibya Paper Mills and possession of illegal assets.

Justice Ahmed said the cases had been pending for 14 years and not a single witness had appeared in court.

Terming the charges against the Sharif family as politically motivated, the court said these had no factual bases.

However, another reference accusing the Sharif family of defaulting over a bank loan in relation to Ittefaq Foundries is yet to proceed in the accountability court.

The hearing of the case was subsequently adjourned to October 2.

Also read: Sharifs in NAB list of ‘bank loan defaulters’

Earlier in 2000, the General (retd) Pervez Musharraf-led government had prepared a money laundering reference against Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) leaders Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif.

The reference had said that the Sharif brothers had used the Hudaibya Paper Mills as a cover for money laundering during the late 1990s.

The ruling comes at a favourable time when the embattled Nawaz Sharif is struggling to hold his own with the protesting Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) demanding for his resignation and calling his government the outcome of a rigged election.

More on this: Leaders’ wealth — Shahbaz richer than Nawaz

Opinion

Editorial

Missing links
27 Apr, 2024

Missing links

THE deplorable practice of enforced disappearances is an affront to due process and the rule of law. Pakistan has...
Freedom to report?
27 Apr, 2024

Freedom to report?

AN accountability court has barred former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife from criticising the establishment...
After Bismah
27 Apr, 2024

After Bismah

BISMAH Maroof’s contribution to Pakistan cricket extends beyond the field. The 32-year old, Pakistan’s...
Business concerns
Updated 26 Apr, 2024

Business concerns

There is no doubt that these issues are impeding a positive business clime, which is required to boost private investment and economic growth.
Musical chairs
26 Apr, 2024

Musical chairs

THE petitioners are quite helpless. Yet again, they are being expected to wait while the bench supposed to hear...
Global arms race
26 Apr, 2024

Global arms race

THE figure is staggering. According to the annual report of Sweden-based think tank Stockholm International Peace...