Kulbhushan Jadhav was allowed to meet family but I'm not: Shehbaz
October 29, 2018
LAHORE: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif, who is currently in the National Accountability Bureau's (NAB) custody, on Monday told an accountability court that he is not being allowed to meet his family even though Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav was granted permission to do so.
Shehbaz was presented before an accountability court in Lahore today as NAB sought a 15-day extension in his physical remand. Although, Shehbaz's remand ends tomorrow, he was presented in the accountability court today as October 30 is a holiday.
During the hearing, Shehbaz presented arguments in his defense himself and said, "I have been implicated in false cases and NAB officials blackmail me."
The PML-N president continued, "I battled blood cancer but they [NAB officials] are not even allowing me to get my check-up done."
"I was on my deathbed but God is great and gave me health," Shehbaz added. "Last week, I requested officials to get my blood test conducted and I have to remind them again and again to do so. I was told that they have told the higher-ups and when they receive an order they will tell me," he further said. "I am required to regularly get my check-ups."
The leader of the opposition in NA regretted, "I am not even allowed to meet my family."
"Indian spy Kulbushan Yadhav was allowed to meet his family but I am not permitted to meet mine even once a week. Such restrictions are not imposed even during martial law," he asserted.
The PML-N president further shared, "I have been blessed with a grandson and am thankful to God for it."
At this, the NAB prosecutor expressed reservations, however, Shehbaz said, "I am a human and a Pakistani. Let people express their views."
Stating that he "served the province," Shehbaz upheld, "If this is a crime then I will continue doing it. God's court is the biggest."
"I have rights which I am not being granted. I am being tortured but God willing this too will soon pass," he added. Reading out a verse, Shehbaz said, "Ye kaun bol rahā thā ḳhudā ke lahje meñ."
The NAB prosecutor then again expressed reservations and said, “Shehbaz is giving answers himself to allegations against him.”
The accountability court judge then directed Shehbaz “to speak freely”. To this, Shehbaz said, “I revealed the Kamran Kayani secret in the National Assembly and will speak in court with evidence.”
Presenting the minutes of the first meeting for the bidding of the contract, Shehbaz said, “The inquiry is from December 2013 to October 2014 and I’m reading out minutes from February 27, 2014.”
The PML-N president continued, “Even last time I said that I did not cancel the first bid, in December 2014 a second bid was conducted which was held by PLDC. I cancelled Kamran Kayani’s contract. We received 50 bids and I supported and praised Allahuddin.”
Fiurther, he said, “During the last remand hearing, NAB had also spoken of the second bid but then they distorted facts and misinformed the court.”
Presenting documents regarding Punjab Public Partnership, Shehbaz said, “In the last 25 days I have cleared all allegations regarding Ashiana Housing and Saaf Pani case.”
At this, the NAB prosecutor said, “Shehbaz Sharif is misstating facts, he served as Punjab chief minister twice.” However, Shehbaz said the NAB prosecutor was “wrong” and added, “I was Punjab chief minister thrice.”
However, the NAB prosecutor said, “Shehbaz has a habit of asking questions rather than answering them.”
Further, during the hearing, a female lawyer spoke in favour of Shehbaz. To this, the judge remarked, “We know you are also present here.”
The NAB prosecutor then requested a 15-day extension in Shehbaz’s physical remand. The prosecutor further requested that the court approved Shehbaz’s transit remand as his production orders have been issued to attend today’s National Assembly session.
However, Shehbaz’s counsel opposed to NAB’s request for extension in his physical remand.
The court then reserved its decision but later extended Shehbaz’s remand by 10 days. The hearing of the case was then adjourned till November 7.
Shehbaz was arrested on October 5 in the Ashiana Iqbal Housing Scheme case after he appeared before NAB in the Saaf Pani case. On October 6, an accountability court in Lahore had granted the anti-graft body a 10-day physical remand of Shehbaz. The PML-N president’s remand was then extended on October 16 by 14 days.
