Lahore Accountability Court Transfers Ramzan Sugar Mill Case to Anti-Corruption Courts

In a significant development, the Lahore Accountability Court has transferred the Ramzan Sugar Mill reference against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and former Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz to anti-corruption courts.

Reason Behind Transfer

The transfer decision, announced by AC judge Zubair Shehzad Kayani, comes in light of recent amendments. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutor requested the transfer, citing no objections.

Case Background

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) reopened the reference against PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif on September 23. This followed the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down amendments to NAB laws on September 15.

Key Developments

• Hamza Shehbaz’s Exemption: The court granted Hamza Shehbaz a one-day exemption from attendance.
• NAB References: The anti-corruption watchdog sent back 116 corruption references to accountability courts in Lahore, including the Ramzan Sugar Mills case.
• FIA Investigation: The FIA booked PM Shehbaz, Hamza, and Salman Shehbaz in November 2020 for financial fraud, impersonation, and forgery.

Implications

The transfer of the Ramzan Sugar Mill case marks a significant shift in the ongoing corruption investigations. With the Supreme Court’s decision on NAB laws, the case’s outcome will be closely watched.

Next Steps

The anti-corruption courts will now proceed with the case, potentially leading to new developments in the investigation. Stay updated for further updates on this significant case.

Also Read: Constitutional courts ‘dropped’ from proposed amendments