LAHORE: A special court (central-I) on Tuesday extended the pre-arrest bail of Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shehbaz in an inquiry of money laundering and sugar scam initiated by the Federal Investigation Authority (FIA).

Hamza appeared before the court along with his legal team while Shehbaz was allowed a one-time exemption from personal appearance on medical grounds.

The court extended the bail of both opposition leaders till Feb 10 and directed the FIA to submit its progress report on the investigation.

The FIA booked Shehbaz and his sons Hamza and Suleman in November 2020 under sections 419, 420, 468, 471, 34 and 109 — financial fraud, impersonation and forgery – of the PPC and 5(2) and 5(3) — criminal misconduct — of Prevention of Corruption Act and r/w 3/4 of Anti Money Laundering Act. Suleman Shehbaz is absconding in the United Kingdom.

Talking to the media, Hamza lashed out at Prime Minister Imran Khan and termed his narrative of accountability a fake one.

Referring to the acquittal of all accused in Punjab Saaf Pani reference, he said the Imran Khan government made fabricated cases against the leaders of the PML-N. He said Khan played havoc with the country and the masses.

Hamza said the prime minister himself hid behind a stay order in the foreign funding case against the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf. About the passing of the State Bank of Pakistan-related bill in the Senate, he said the PPP could answer the question.

He said the resignation of the opposition leader in Senate Yousaf Raza Gillani was an internal matter of the PPP.

Published in Dawn, February 2nd, 2022