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Hamza ‘fails to satisfy’ NAB in assets beyond means case
LAHORE: Opposition leader in Punjab Assembly Hamza Shahbaz appeared before the National Accountability Bureau, Lahore, here on Wednesday in connection with the income beyond means case.
A combined investigation team of NAB quizzed him for over an hour with regard to details of his properties in and outside the country. He could not satisfy the team and NAB might summon him again.
Upon his arrival at the NAB office, the PML-N workers gathered there, showered him with rose petals and chanted slogans in favour of the party leadership.
Investigators may summon him again
Talking to reporters outside the NAB office, Hamza said neither corruption had proved against Nawaz Sharif nor Shahbaz. “Nawaz Sharif appeared in court for 165 days in references but not a single rupee corruption has been proved against him. Similarly, Shahbaz Sharif has been behind bars for three months still the NAB is looking for any evidence against him. In fact this is a fake accountability (of the Sharif family and others) by a fake prime minister (Imran Khan),” he said.
He said Imran Khan believed in revenge and not in across-the-board accountability. “Niazi Saheb should find the corrupt in his cabinet. He should show sportsman spirit and present himself for accountability for misusing the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s helicopter and his sister Aleema Khan to disclose details of her assets and sources,” he said.
Hamza further said Mr Niazi had expressed his wish to get 50 people arrested. “His accountability slogan reflects vengeance. We faced Gen Musharraf’s accountability for 10 years. Imran Khan can not make us afraid of accountability as it is nothing new for us,” he said and drew PM Khan’s attention towards the depleting foreign exchange reserves. “The country has foreign exchange reserves for only a few weeks. Let me tell you...this revenge politics will cost you a lot,” he said.
Hamza is also facing an inquiry into the Ramzan Sugar Mills case. According to the NAB, Hamza and his younger brother Salman Shahbaz being directors of the sugar mills got constructed a bridge linking to their mills out of the public money in Chiniot. It said an amount of Rs200 million was approved by then chief minister Shahbaz Sharif for the construction of the bridge.
Salman Shahbaz is in the UK. According to NAB, Salman left the country to skip its hearings. Hamza was stopped from leaving the country at the Lahore airport this month after putting his name on exit control list (ECL).
Published in Dawn, December 27th, 2018
Comments (19) Closed
Looks like PML-N is still trying to hoodwink people to believe their story and their point of view.Whereas, the case is the other way around.Why can not they provide details of amassed fortunes,if they are innocent.It is all commission and kickbacks that led to accumulation of wealth and assets.
Hamza ‘fails to satisfy’ NAB in assets beyond means case. _ More so than even his father. Hamza does not even know where to begin.
They will never give answer about their ill gotten wealth, and would keep on pointing fingers at others.....I think they dont realize that their time is over and there is no escape for them....
Then why were you escaping out of Pakistan last week? Your brother has already slipped out of the country. If you haven't done anything wrong, why are you guys trying to get out of the country?
Really if he fails to satisfy, why he’s roaming out.
It looks like 'politics' has been very lucrative profession. As many people became very very rich in a short period of time. Unfortunately, average person in the country is still struggling to make descent living and facing everyday problems such as medical, children's schooling, lack of electricity, corruption and so on. Oh' what a democracy, that works real well for politicians, their family and friends.
They all are part of the same bunch, one can't be any different from the other.
He is a completely innocent and honest man.
Corruption was done by opposition ,alas .He is a completely innocent and honest man.
I am not sure why he should satisfy NAB. It is NAB's duty to find evidence of corruption not Hamza's to provide them evidence against himself. This whole accountability saga looks fake when there is no evidence provided by NAB but just saying that he/she could not provide money trail.
Hamza in connection with the income beyond means case ,correct it as below means ,sharing assets with CM.
Really?? Most corrupt people. Ask yourself - Are you better off with them?
A person predestined to fail can never succeed in satisfying his adversaries..
Simply, disgusting, shameful and taking mokery of our laws - this proves that there are double standards, one for rich corrupt politicians and buearocrates and one for poor people.
Those judging should put themselves in Hamza's shoes for a second and think how would they respond to a query of proving the money trail of inheritance, or something that was purchased 20-30 years ago or discussing ones foreign assets. NAB's domain is traciblity of corruption only, period.
We will not believe your lies anymore.
NAB alone is taking care of opposition for the govt which seems to be at lose with nobody to answer to
@Saleem, sure. But only if he can substantiate the sources of funds for acquiring those assets.
All the ills of Pakistan today are because of PPP and PML-N for their extraordinary corrupt ruling....