Court extends Shehbaz Sharif's physical remand in Ashiana Housing case

An accountability court extended on Tuesday the physical remand of Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif by 14 days in the Rs14 billion Ashiana Housing case.

The PML-N president was presented before the court as his 10-day physical remand ends today. Shehbaz was brought to the court amid high security as Rangers and police officials were deployed inside and outside the court.

During the hearing, the NAB requested the judge to extend the physical remand of Shehbaz as the bureau needed to further investigate. Shehbaz's lawyer opposed the bureau's request for extension and requested the court to reject NAB's appeal, local media reported.

NAB takes Shehbaz Sharif into custody

On October 6, on NAB's request, the court had granted a 10-day physical remand of Shehbaz. The PML-N president was arrested on October 5 for corruption in the Ashiana housing scheme case.

Lahore Development Authority former director general Ahad Cheema and former principal secretary to deposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Fawad Hasan Fawad accused in the same case have already been remanded into NAB custody. Fawad had named Shehbaz in his statement before NAB and provided evidence against him.

Shehbaz's brother and the former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has already been convicted of corruption in the Avenfield reference filed by NAB. Nawaz has served almost two months jail time. He was sentenced to 10 years jail time.