LAHORE: Accountability court on Tuesday has declared Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Shehbaz Sharif’s wife Nusrat Shahbaz as proclaimed offender in money laundering case.
During the hearing, the judge said the 30-day deadline that was given to Nusrat Shahbaz to appear before the court has expired. Accused have to present arguments on the testimonies of National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) witnesses by themselves now, the judge remarked.
Previously, the anti-graft watchdog had presented its three witnesses before the court for testimonies.
On November 11, Mian Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shehbaz Sharif were indicted in money laundering reference by accountability court.
All the accused in the case pleaded not guilty. Shehbaz Sharif, while rejecting allegations of the anti-graft watchdog, said that he was being politically victimized.
Approver Yasir Mushtaq had recorded his statement in connection with money laundering case against the family of Shehbaz Sharif.
The approver told that he was directed by Sharif family’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to turn the black money worth Rs 60 crore into white.
Chief financial officer (CFO) had told to use bank account of Mushtaq and Company for telegraphic transfer (TT), he added.
On September 28, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) team had arrested Shehbaz Sharif in money laundering case after Lahore High Court (LHC) rejected his bail plea.
A two-member bench of the Lahore High Court comprising Justice Sardar Ahmed Naeem and Justice Farooq Haider heard the plea, during which Shehbaz Sharif’s lawyer presented his arguments.
Counsel of PML-N President argued that Shehbaz Sharif saved over Rs1,000 billion of national exchequer and never received his pay as a member of National Assembly.
No evidence was available against Shehbaz Sharif in money laundering case and none of the witnesses accused PML-N leader of the ill practice, he added.
