Shahbaz Sharif reads out appreciation letter from Chinese Consul General in accountability court

LAHORE: PML-N President Shahbaz Sharif presented a letter from the Chinese Consul General in Lahore   during an accountability court hearing today.

This happened during the hearing of a corruption reference pertaining to Ramazan Sugar Mills filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against the PML-N chief.

The anti-graft watchdog has alleged that the former chief minister issued directives to use Rs200 million from public money to construct a drain in District Chiniot primarily for the use of the sugar mills owned by his sons. His son, Hamza Shahbaz, is also under arrest in the case.

Today’s court proceedings

The  PML-N leaders were brought to the accountability court in separate vehicles by Kot Lakhpat jail officials on Tuesday with PML-N workers gathered outside the judicial complex to welcome their leaders.

Hamza’s counsel informed the bench that mobile jammers were injurious to health. To which, the judge questioned who should be blamed for using mobile phones in court rooms.

Addressing Shahbaz Sharif, the judge asked whether he had something to say. “I have brought a letter sent to me by the Chinese Consul General in Lahore,” said the PML-N president as he began reading the letter before the court.

The letter credited the former chief minister for realising the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects in Punjab. “I have been facing a barrage of accusation for two years, yet the Chinese Consul General is praising my work as a chief minister. He is appreciating a prisoner – it is no doubt an honour for me.”

NAB prosecutor objected to Shahbaz Sharif reading the contents of the letter during the hearing, stressing that it was irrelevant to the ongoing case and a waste of the court’s time.

To this, the judge said he had already directed Shahbaz Sharif to stay on topic.