NAB arrests Hamza Shehbaz as LHC cancels interim bail

A two-member bench comprising Justice Mazhar Ali Akbar Naqvi and Justice Shahid Waheed Khan heard petitions of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader as he appeared before the LHC following the expiration of his interim bail today. 

During the hearing, NAB’s Additional Prosecutor General Jahanzeb Bharwana told the court that Hamza’s assets were not according to his income and that the PML-N leader and his family are involved in money laundering.

The court after hearing NAB’s arguments rejected Hamza's plea for an extension for his interim bail. 

Following the arrest, PML-N workers protested at the GPO Chowk in Lahore and blocked traffic.

According to NAB sources, Hamza Shehbaz will be presented in an accountability court on Wednesday.

Hamza, along with his father Opposition Leader in National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif were indicted in the Ramzan Sugar Mills case on April 9.

The National Accountability Bureau in February had filed a reference against the two alleging that the former chief minister of Punjab misused his authority by using public funds for the construction of a bridge to facilitate the Ramzan mills, owned by his sons.

Hamza arrested to divert attention from budget: Maryam 

PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz Sharif said Hamza was arrested to divert attention from the failure of economic survey and the budget.

Maryam in a post on Twitter said, “To divert attention from historical failures like economic survey and budget, arrests are being made. These arrests will not save you from the anger of people.”

“Falling walls cannot be saved with arrests. In a government where the whole nation is in a state of arrest, the prime minister cannot save himself with the arrests of the opposition,” she added. 

Arrests are political revenge: Ahsan Iqbal

Speaking to Geo News, PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal said the government is arresting opposition members to hide its incompetence.

“These arrests are political revenge”, he said. “NAB arrested Saad Rafique and could not make any case on him. He was also taken into custody in a case like this.”

He added, "This is an incompetent government who could not make any cases."

If NAB proves corruption against me will leave politics: Hamza

Speaking to Geo News before his interim bail was rejected, Hamza said, “I told the Pakistani nation that I have not done any corruption. I have challenged NAB that if they can prove even a penny worth of corruption against me, I will leave politics.”

He further said, “NAB chairman has ordered my arrest. It remains to be seen whether NAB will arrest me or justice will prevail. Prison is not new for me.”