NAB summons Nawaz for 'misusing public money'

Anti-graft watchdog investigates misuse of public money in road construction project for Jati Umra in Raiwad

LAHORE: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Sunday summoned ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif to appear before an inquiry team investigating misuse of public money in a road construction project for Jati Umra in Raiwand.

In December 2017, the anti-graft watchdog had approved the corruption reference against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif for misuse of public funds amounting to Rs126 million, spent on the construction of the two-lane road from Raiwind to their family residence.

The investigations against the Sharif brothers and others in the case were first initiated by NAB in April 2000. The case was among 146 high-profile cases cited in a list by the bureau.

Nawaz is already facing corruption references filed by NAB in an accountability court in Islamabad. The corruption references filed against the Sharif family pertain to Al-Azizia Steel Mills and Hills Metal Establishment, offshore companies including Flagship Investment Ltd and London’s Avenfield properties.

Nawaz and his sons, Hassan and Hussain, are accused in all three references, whereas daughter Maryam Nawaz and son-in-law MNA Capt (retd) Safdar are accused in the Avenfield reference.

Sons of the deposed premier, living abroad, have been absconding since the proceedings were initiated and were declared proclaimed offenders by the court.