LAHORE: An accountability court judge on Tuesday rebuked Leader of the Opposition in Punjab Assembly Hamza Shahbaz for not maintaining decorum of the court during hearing of the Ramzan Sugar Mills case against him and his father, PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif.

Presiding Judge Amjad Nazir Chaudhry was busy in the proceedings when he noticed Hamza conversing with his party men loudly in the court.

The judge reprimanded Hamza and instructed him to come to the rostrum and stay quiet.

However, Hamza expressed astonishment at the judge’s anger and said he had great respect for the court. He explained that the people interacting with him had come to the court on their own.

“Next time, you will come straight to the rostrum,” the judge directed Hamza.

Meanwhile, a counsel sought exemption from personal appearance for Mr Sharif, saying he had to appear before the federal cabinet in Islamabad.

The court allowed the request and adjourned hearing till Nov 28. Earlier, a NAB prosecutor filed supplementary reference in the case.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2019