Hamza Shehbaz challenges NAB raid in LHC

LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Hamza Shehbaz on Saturday moved the Lahore High Court (LHC) against a raid at the Shehbaz family Model Town residence a day earlier.

In his petition, the PML-N leader upheld, "The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) unlawfully conducted a raid at the residence."

Hamza requested the LHC to immediately cancel the arrest warrants issued against him. NAB should be probed for contempt of court, the opposition leader in the Punjab Assembly said.

A day earlier, NAB conducted a raid at Shehbaz's residence to arrest Hamza. A press release by NAB said a team had gone to the residence to arrest Hamza on the basis of evidence against him in the assets beyond means and alleged money laundering case. The press release added that NAB officials were manhandled by Hamza’s guards, their clothes were torn and death threats were given.

"NAB officials had gone to the residence with an arrest warrant and the Supreme Court had stated that the accountability bureau did not require to inform any accused prior to arresting them," read the press release. The press release added that Hamza had violated the law and the bureau on the basis of evidence against and in light of Supreme Court directives would arrest him.