LAHORE: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Monday opposed the petition filed by Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Hamza Shehbaz seeking acquittal in the Ramzan Sugar Mills case.
The dirty money watchdog filed its response in an accountability court requesting it to throw out the acquittal petition.
The NAB said Shehbaz served as the chief executive officer (CEO) of the unit and hence was directly responsible for the squandering of a whopping Rs360 million in public money on a drain meant to facilitate the business.
The mill had no sewerage system before the construction of the drain, the bureau said, claiming his father National Assembly Opposition Leader Shehbaz Sharif in his capacity as the chief minister issued directives for the construction of the drain using the tax money.
The Ramazan Sugar Mills and Sharif Diary are the biggest beneficiaries of the project, the NAB said, adding there is concrete evidence to substantiate the charges against Shehbaz.
Last week, Shehbaz through his counsel filed the acquittal plea on the basis of the recent amendments made to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) law.
He said the reference is ill-founded and based on mala fide intentions and political grounds, adding the bureau instituted the reference at the behest of the incumbent government.
During the hearing Monday, the bureau prayed to the court to reject Shehbaz’s petition, arguing there was no provision in the amended ordinance of NAB that provided any concession to those found guilty of misusing administrative authority.
NAB counsel said it was evident that the amended ordinance had not been promulgated to give a clean chit to those misusing their authority. “NAB was established for the elimination of corruption,” the counsel remarked.
He also took exception to the petitioner’s objection to the court’s jurisdiction, saying it had no justification.
“From whichever angle the case is looked at, it is crystal clear that Hamza is guilty,” he contended.
The court, on the occasion, also indicted Ahmad Ali, a co-accused in the case.
The court then adjourned the hearing of the case until January 10.
