Ramzan Sugar, Ashiana Housing Scheme cases: AC allows one-time exemption to Shahbaz

An accountability court on Tuesday allowed one-time exemption to PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif for appearance in proceedings of Ramzan Sugar Mills' and Punjab Ashiana-i-Iqbal Housing Scheme cases. The court reserved its verdict on a separate application for exemption of Shahbaz Sharif till conclusion of the trial.

The court also extended judicial remand of Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly Hamza Shahbaz till January 17 in the sugar mills' case. Hamza avoided media queries about legislation on army chief's tenure and current political situation in the country.

Earlier, Shahbaz's counsel told the court that his client was in London to take care his ailing brother former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. He said Shahbaz also had appointment with his doctors in London for January 15 as he was a cancer survivor. The counsel said the Lahore High Court had allowed both brothers to travel abroad on medical grounds. He also presented medical report of Shahbaz Sharif before the court.

He argued that the trial proceedings could be held even in the absence of the accused as a pleader will represent him under the law. He said his client could come before the trial concluded if doctors declared health condition of Nawaz Sharif out of danger. He also pointed out that Shahbaz had previously visited abroad and returned to the country. NAB's Special Prosecutor opposed the application and argued that such application could be allowed if the suspect himself appeared before the court. He said the suspect was now out of the territorial jurisdiction of the court. The prosecutor argued that the absence of the suspect put the trial on halt. He stated that two sons of Nawaz Sharif were with him in London and Shahbaz was not supposed to stay on the pretext of taking care of his brother.

He urged the court to dismiss the application and prayed to issue non-bailable arrest warrants of Shahbaz. The counsel of Shahbaz, however, said the prosecutor had no legal point in his arguments nor he referred to any judgment to decline exemption from personal hearing till decision of the trial. He said the NAB had not a single evidence of any alleged corruption in the case.