Legal battles: Celebs, politicos got relief in outgoing year

Politicians and celebrities remained entangled in legal affairs in 2022 as they frequented the corridors of courts for relief – which they eventually managed to secure after toil and sweat of litigation.

Politicians accused of corruption, money laundering, vandalism and other matters were seen in the corridors of the courts throughout the year as courts remained the site of extraordinary judgments, shaping and reshaping the major developments.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shehbaz were acquitted in the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) money laundering case, while the Ramzan Sugar Mills reference against them was sent back to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Rana Sanaullah's bail was confirmed by the Lahore High Court (LHC) after he continued to appear before the court in the drug case.

Chaudhry Moonis Elahi appeared before the court for bail in a money laundering case, while former Punjab chief minister Usman Buzdar also appeared in court in NAB cases against him. After the dramatic arrest of the former Punjab deputy speaker, he got bail as well.

On the other hand, Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rasheed also went to the high court against corruption. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Yasmin Rashid, Murad Ras, Mian Mehmood-ur-Rasheed, Mian Aslam Iqbal and other PTI leaders came to the court to seek bail in the May 25 riot cases.

Separately, Atta Tarar, Rana Mashhood, Bilal Farooq Tarar, Owais Leghari and other MPs of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) also had to knock on the doors of the court to avoid arrest in the Punjab Assembly riot cases.

NAB’s inquiries against the Chaudhary brothers also ended. Moreover, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz’s passport was also ultimately returned to her.

Showbiz stars Saba Qamar and Bilal Saeed were also acquitted by a local court in the video shoot case against them. However, the court battle between Ali Zafar and Meesha Shafi is still going on.