NAB raids Sharif family businesses

A team of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Saturday raided business offices of the Sharif family in 55-K and 91-F at Model Town in search of evidence pertaining to cases involving money laundering and benami accounts by Sharif family.

The NAB team led by its Assistant Director raided 55-K and 91-F Model Town after the search warrant issued by Judicial Magistrate Mohammad Amir Raza Baitu in the case. The search orders were issued to recover documents from the said premises which were offices of Salman Shahbaz and Mohammad Usman, sources said.

The sources claimed that the NAB officials confiscated computers and laptops during the raids at both the premises. Important documents were also recovered from the office of the chief financial officer (CFO) of the Sharif Group of Industries, the sources added.

PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb confirming the raids at around 12:30pm alleged that the raids were being conducted by the Imran Khan-led government to distract the masses from its political and economic failures. "They should tell the public what they found during the raids," she said, questioning why the government was not uncovering those responsible behind the wheat and sugar crises in the country.

Marriyum Aurangzeb said that during the last 18 months, the NAB failed to prove any corruption against the Sharif family. She further stated that the NAB officials do not give any notice prior to conducting raids. She said that NAB should also raid the mills belonging to PTI leaders Khusro Bakhtiar and Jahangir Tareen. The PML-N Punjab President Rana Sanaullah in a press conference called the raids 'shameful' and 'disappointing' saying if such revengeful activities continued these would cause more bitterness in politics.

"The institutions should not work on personal agendas," Rana said, adding: "I request the officers working in these (state) institutions to use their official power within the limits of the constitution and law." He said that the investigations should not be carried out on the basis of vengeance.

He further said that the continuation of such acts will widen rifts among the political parties which can be counterproductive for the country's progress. Moreover, the NAB Lahore has issued notice to Rana Sanaullah for appearing before Joint Investigation Team of the NAB on February 19 in assets beyond means case.

Rana Sanaullah has been asked to bring details of the assets owned by him and his family members. He has been directed to disclose sources from where the assets were acquired. He was directed to clearly point out whether his assets increased or decreased on an annual basis.