PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE
LAHORE: Former Punjab chief minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday failed to appear before a Combined Investigation Team (CIT) of the National Accountability Bureau in the Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) case.
This is not the first time that Shehbaz has skipped a hearing. A few days back, he did not appear before an accountability court in the Ashiana-e-Iqbal Housing Scheme and Ramzan Sugar Mills cases.
The PML-N president is in London on the pretext of treatment. Shehbaz was sent a questionnaire in the summons. However, his lawyer sent the answers and a few documents to NAB.
According to sources, “NAB is deliberating upon various ways to make Shehbaz appear before the investigation team.”
A source said documents or written replies could not be a substitute for a person’s presence. “For thorough investigation, the CIT has to ask the accused many questions and counter questions,” the source added.
Last week, NAB, Lahore arrested LWMC General Manager Tahir Maqbool. He is accused of obtaining “illegal benefits”.
Maqbool worked as the general manager procurement and contract. He also worked as a consultant at LWMC, Rawalpindi.
Allegedly, he committed embezzlement of millions of rupees in LWMC Lahore’s projects.
According to NAB, initial investigation suggested that he allegedly committed corruption of at least Rs1 billion.
He, through fraudulent methods, transferred millions of rupees that resulted in loss to the national exchequer.
Also, without the approval of the board of directors, Maqbool illegally awarded contracts in the bidding process to a blue-eyed company M/s Albarak.
A few days back, NAB had arrested three accused in the case. And investigation helped gather evidences that led to Maqbool’s arrest.
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