Sharif family given clean chit in sugar mills case

The long-standing Ramzan Sugar Mills case took a dramatic turn after six years as the complainant disassociated himself from the case, stating in court that he had no objection to the acquittal of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shehbaz Sharif.

Appearing before the anti-corruption court, complainant Zulfiqar Ali told Judge Sardar Muhammad Iqbal that he neither filed the complaint against the Sharifs nor was he aware of the application on which the case was initiated.

"I withdraw this application," he said. At this, the judge directed Ali to submit an affidavit confirming his stance.

Subsequently, Ali submitted the affidavit, reiterating that he had no involvement in the case. In his statement, he said that he was unaware of the complaint's content, had not signed any application and lacked any knowledge about the construction of the wastewater drain near Ramzan Sugar Mills, which lies at the heart of the case.

"I have no objection if Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shehbaz Sharif are acquitted," Ali stated in his affidavit.

The judge inquired if the complainant's statement had been recorded previously, to which Ali replied in the negative.

Meanwhile, a representative of PM Shehbaz marked the attendance, and the court adjourned the proceedings until January 30 for further arguments.

Speaking to the media, Zulfiqar Ali maintained that his court statement was made without any external pressure.