LAHORE: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has again summoned opposition leader Shahbaz Sharif for April 22, assuring him that all social distancing measures will be taken and investigators will only ask questions related to alleged money laundering from a safe distance.
Earlier, Shahbaz had skipped his appearance before the NAB authorities, fearing that he might contract coronavirus as he was a 69-year-old cancer survivor, and his doctors had advised him to restrict his movement due to life-threatening risks associated with COVID-19.
As per sources, NAB summoned Shahbaz Sharif again for April 22 at NAB Lahore offices with an assurance that all safety measures would be adopted regarding the pandemic.
It has been learnt that the money-laundering investigation against Shahbaz Sharif family is at the last stage and answers of Shahbaz Sharif were very crucial to complete the probe. The bureau has asked Shahbaz to provide details of properties inherited by him. It said that from 1998 to 2018, Shahbaz’s family assets grew exponentially. As a public office-holder, Shahbaz needs to explain the increase in his assets, NAB added.
It also asked Shahbaz to submit bank details along with the loans taken from Barclays Bank from 2005 to 2007. Furthermore, NAB also sought details of all gifts received and given by the family, details of agriculture income from 2008 to 2019 and details about utilisation of Shahbaz’s Model Town residence as Chief Minister’s camp office.
Last year in December, NAB had issued orders to freeze 23 properties belonging to the former chief minister and his sons -- Hamza and Suleman -- over the allegation that they acquired assets beyond their means and committed money-laundering.
According to the bureau, an investigation against Shahbaz, Hamza, Suleman and others for the offence of “corruption and corrupt practices” revealed that Shahbaz acquired properties in the name of his wives Nusrat Shahbaz Sharif and Tehmina Durrani. Among the properties frozen are nine plots in Lahore’s Johar Town, four in Judicial Colony, two houses in Model Town and as many houses in DHA.
Furthermore, the bureau has also frozen a cottage and a villa in Pir Sohawa and two more plots in Chiniot.