The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Friday conducted a raid at 96-H Model Town, the residence of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president and opposition leader in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif’s residence.
Initial reports citing NAB sources said the accountability bureau carried out the raid to arrest Sharif's son Hamza Shehbaz in the assets beyond means case, however, the Punjab Assembly opposition leader was not taken into custody.
The lawyer of Hamza Shehbaz said according to orders of the Lahore High Court a ten-day notice was required prior to arresting him.
“The high court in its order has clearly written that Hamza Shehbaz should be informed 10-days prior to any movement on his arrest and he should be given sufficient time to approach the court. In light of the high court order no arrest is possible,” said the lawyer.
Deputy Director NAB Chaudhry Muhammad Asghar said they had come to the residence to meet Hamza Shehbaz. “We came here to respectfully meet Hamza bhai [brother] and were surrounded,” he added.
Shehbaz Sharif along with his sons Hamza and Salman are facing multiple NAB inquires, including those into the Ashiana Housing scandal, Ramzan Sugar Mills and assets beyond means.
“NAB personnel came to search the house without any warrant,” said PML-N Punjab spokesman Malik Muhammad Ahmed.
Read more: Govt afraid of Shehbaz, using NAB to advance its own goals: Marriyum Aurangzeb
PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb media that Hamza along with Shehbaz Sharif and other members of the family were present at the residence when the raid was carried out by 7-8 personnel from NAB without any warning.
Shahbaz Gill the spokesperson for the Punjab government said NAB was an independent institution.
“The government has no influence on it and the PTI does not believe in victimisation.”
PTI Information Secretary Umar Cheema said if Hamza Shehbaz had evidence proving his innocence he should provide it to NAB.
“These cases should be brought to their conclusion and there should be independent accountability,” he added.
