NAB summons Maryam in another case on March 26

PML-N leader told to bring required documentation in Raiwind land transfer case

LAHORE:

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) summoned on Thursday Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz in the Raiwind land transfer case.

The PML-N leader has also been summoned by the anti-graft authority in the Chaudhry Sugar Mills case on the same date.

Today's NAB notice directed Maryam to bring all the required documentation at the time of her appearance.

The anti-graft body has alleged that at least 1,440 kanals of land -- 180 acres – was transferred in Maryam’s name. This happened after 2013 when 3,568 kanals of land -- 446 acres -- was transferred in the name of the Sharif family.

Read NAB an institution merely seeking revenge against PM Imran's opponents: Maryam

NAB has alleged that 3,568 kanals land was purchased by the Sharif family in 2013. Out of this, the largest share -- 1,936 kanals or 242 acres -- was transferred in the name of Shamim Bibi, the mother of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif. The property transferred against Maryam’s name was from this share of the property.

In August 2020, NAB’s Lahore bureau expanded its scope of investigation against the Sharif family in the case.

The master plan of the city was introduced in 2004. However it was amended in 2013 through a notification by the Lahore district council, and the residential areas of Raiwind tehsil were transferred and categorised as agricultural land. Sources said the amendments were introduced to benefit the Sharif family.

Chaudhry Sugar Mills case

The PML-N leader has been summoned by NAB on March 26 for the Chaudhry Sugar Mills case as well.

On August 8, 2019, Maryam was arrested and taken into custody by NAB in the Chaudhry Sugar Mills case. She was granted bail on November 4, the same year.

NAB claimed that she aided and abetted co-accused persons – Nawaz and others – in acquiring and laundering funds, which, it alleged, were disproportionate to the known sources of income of the former PM. It accused Maryam of being a beneficiary of the assets.

Read more NAB to also probe Maryam in Safdar’s assets beyond means case

Bail cancellation

On March 13, the Lahore High Court (LHC) accepted a petition for hearing by the NAB seeking cancellation of Maryam's bail in the the sugar mills case against two surety bonds of Rs10 million each.

The court also ordered her to deposit an amount of Rs70 million with the LHC deputy registrar (judicial) – to establish her bona fide – while also surrendering her passport.

Tension between the accountability bureau and the PML-N vice president reached a new high when NAB sought the bail cancellation.

NAB stated that Maryam had been making remarks against “national institutions” which were based on “treason”. According to the authority, the comments were aimed at creating hurdles and influencing the investigation of cases pertaining to corruption and money laundering.