Accountability court approves seven-day transit remand of Shehbaz

Shehbaz to attend National Assembly session on Friday

LAHORE: An accountability court in Lahore on Thursday approved the National Accountability Bureau's (NAB) request for a seven-day transit remand of PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif, enabling the leader of the opposition to attend Friday's parliament session.

Shehbaz is in custody of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for his alleged involvement in the Ashiana Housing Scheme scam.

Presented in court under heavy security, the accountability judge passed the order extending the transit remand for the former chief minister after his production orders were issued by National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser.

The speaker on Tuesday summoned the National Assembly session on November 23 on the requisition of PML-N members.

Shehbaz claimed in court that he was being treated inhumanely and his fundamental rights were being violated. "Cases are not being investigated through merit, if there is Re1 worth corruption in the Aashiana case, then I am ready for punishment," the PML-N president stated

The leader of the opposition leader also claimed the he was not being given access to medical treatment nor was he allowed to meet his family. He added that meeting his family was his fundamental right.

"My daughter-in-law is not well, even she is not allowed to meet me, I don't even have access to a TV or a newspaper in NAB custody."

NAB responded by saying that the authority has not barred Shehbaz from meeting his family, however, none of his family members come to visit him. The court instructed NAB to ensure Shehbaz is allowed to meet his family at least once a week.

Following the issuance of the transit remand, Shehbaz will be shifted to Islamabad and attend the parliamentary session starting from tomorrow.



Roads leading to court premises were blocked with containers and barbed wire and a heavy deployment of riot police were present to ensure security and order in the area.

The anti-riot force was also deployed at Secretariat Chowk to deal with any disturbance caused by PML-N workers.