NAB initiates inquiry against Shehbaz for accumulating assets beyond means

Shehbaz is currently in NAB custody in the Ashiana Housing Scheme scam

LAHORE: The country’s top accountability watchdog on Saturday initiated another inquiry against the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President, Shehbaz Sharif, for allegedly owning assets beyond his known sources of income.

Shehbaz, who is the leader of opposition in the National Assembly, is already under the custody of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in connection with the ongoing probe into the Ashiana-e-Iqbal Housing Scheme case.



The PML-N chief was arrested by NAB on October 5 when he appeared before NAB investigators in connection with another case related to provision of potable water. In the Ashiana case, Shehbaz is accused of misuse of authority in the award of contract.

According to sources in NAB, the former Punjab chief minister, during investigation into the Ashiana case, claimed that his son Salman Shehbaz looks after his financial matters.

NAB initiated a case of assets beyond income against Salman and constituted a committee to probe the matter. After progress in the investigation, NAB decided to initiate an inquiry against Shehbaz for owning assets beyond known sources of income, said the sources.

Meanwhile, a division bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC), headed by Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, on Wednesday dismissed a petition challenging Shehbaz’s sudden arrest by NAB.



The petition was filed by AK Dogar on behalf of the Pakistan Lawyers Foundation. The division bench comprising Justice Najafi and Justice Anwarul Haq Pannun, however, observed that the petitioner had no locus standi to over the matter.

Dogar argued that no person could be kept in custody without being informed about the grounds of his arrest and such grounds could only be established after completion of a probe. The lawyer also argued that the arrest of a person during investigation and trial was inconsistent under Article 10(1) of the Constitution.

Shehbaz was remanded in the NAB custody till October 30. However, according to Express News the anti-graft watchdog will seek further extension in his remand during hearing on October 29.

[WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM NEWS DESK]mm