Sharif faced double standards, says Sanaullah

Punjab PML-N chief's bail extended till 5th

LAHORE:

PML-N Punjab president Rana Sanaullah said on Thursday that former premier Nawaz Sharif had faced criticism and allegations over talking about trade with India, while Prime Minister Imran Khan was being dubbed a patriot after a similar move.

Talking with the media after the hearing of his bail application in assets beyond means inquiry initiated by NAB and a plea against a notice issued to him in this regard, he said the country’s people had witnessed the stance of Sharif and the double standards faced by him. The government had brought the country to the brink of destruction but some elements who were still busy in efforts to implicate the opposition in false cases, the former minister alleged.

A Lahore High Court division bench headed by Justice Sardar Muhammad Dogar extended the pre-arrest bail of Rana Sanaullah till April 5 with directions to the NAB prosecutor to initiate arguments.

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The bench initially turned down the request of NAB Special Prosecutor Syed Faisal Raza Bukhari to adjourn the proceedings because he was unwell. Sanaullah’s counsel completed his arguments. Advocate Amjad Pervez argued that the NAB chairman had approved the inquiry beyond his powers.

He termed it astonishing that the ANF claimed that the applicant had acquired assets through drugs, while NAB claimed that they had been made with money earned through corruption.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 2^nd, 2021.