The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has arrested Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Hamza Shahbaz, from inside the Lahore High Court (LHC) in two cases regarding money laundering and holding assets beyond means. A NAB team has left the court with Hamza, who is being taken to the Thokar Niaz Baig offices of the accountability watchdog.
The arrest took place after a two-member LHC bench, headed by Justice Mazahir Ali Naqvi, dismissed the bail applications filed by Hamza after his (Hamza’s) lawyer opted to withdraw the bail pleas in the two corruption cases. Prior to his arrest, while speaking to the media, Hamza said that not even a “one rupee” worth of corruption could be proven against him.
Hamza, the son of PML-N president and National Assembly opposition leader Shahbaz Sharif, is facing inquiries in the cases related to Ramzan Sugar Mills, money laundering and assets beyond means. His arrest comes a day after former president and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari was arrested by NAB in Islamabad. This is a developing story and we will update you as we know more.