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NAB declares PM Shehbaz Sharif, others ‘innocent’ in money laundering case

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  • Accountability court postpones hearing till May 24.
  • PM failed to justify how family assets grew from Rs2m to Rs7bn.
  • PM’s wife, sons, two daughters amongst those nominated by NAB in money laundering case.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has declared Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, his son Hamza Shehbaz and others “innocent” in Rs7 billion references against them for assets beyond means and money laundering filed against them by the anti-graft body.

During a hearing — which was heard by Judge Qamar-ul-Zaman at an accountability court in Lahore on Wednesday — the anti-graft body submitted a supplementary report for the money laundering reference.

PM Shehbaz’s legal representative Anwar Hussain appeared in the court, where NAB acquitted the prime minister, his son, and other people indicted in the case.

At the end of the hearing, the accountability court postponed the hearing of the case till May 24.

Earlier, the bureau had declared PM Shehbaz and his family guilty in Rs7 billion references of money laundering and assets beyond means.

NAB had claimed in references filed against the Shehbaz family that in the last 30 years, their assets had increased from Rs2 million to Rs7 billion which the family had failed to justify.

NAB had alleged that accused PM Shehbaz, in connivance with his co-accused family members, benamidars, front men, close associates, employees, and moneychangers, had developed an organised system of money laundering for the accumulation of assets disproportionate to his known sources of income to the tune of Rs7.3 billion.

Consequently, the accountability watchdog nominated PM Shehbaz, his wife Nusrat Shehbaz, sons Hamza and Suleman Shehbaz, and daughters Rabia Imran and Javeria Ali in the references.

Suleman is already a proclaimed offender in this case. The other nominated accused are Nisar Ahmad, Syed Muhammad Tahir Naqvi, Ali Muhammad Khan, Qasim Qayyum, Rashid Karamat, Masroor Anwar, Muhammad Usman, Fazal Dad Abbasi, Muhammad Shoaib Qamar, and Haroon Yousaf Aziz.

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The PPP requests the image of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto on currency notes.

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The resolution was passed during a seminar named ‘Bhutto Reference and History’, which focused on Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.

The resolution praised the Supreme Court’s admission that the PPP founder’s trial, which resulted in his execution, was unfair and urged that the federal government confer on him the title of “Quaid-e-Awam” (Leader of the People) and the highest civilian honor, Nishan-e-Pakistan.

Aside from demanding that Bhutto’s image be used on currency notes, the resolution also asked for the construction of a fitting monument in his honor and the designation of his mausoleum as a national shrine.

Furthermore, it demands for the reversal of Bhutto’s unjust death sentence and the creation of a “Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Award” for democracy activists who have given their lives for the cause.

In March, the National Assembly passed a resolution characterizing Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s trial as judicial murder.

The Supreme Court released its reserved opinion on the presidential reference against the ‘controversial’ death sentence imposed on PPP founder, stating that the former prime minister was denied a “fair trial”.

A nine-judge court led by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa revealed its decision on the long-pending presidential reference to determine if it can reconsider its verdict, which the PPP and jurists perceive as a historic error.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was sentenced to death under former military dictator General (retired) Ziaul Haq’s administration.

The first elected prime minister of the country was charged with the murder of a political competitor, Nawab Mohammed Ahmed Qasuri, and a trial was held.

Bhutto was executed on April 4, 1979, despite requests and appeals for leniency and pity from various heads of state.

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The ‘clinics on wheels’ initiative is introduced by CM Maryam.

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Punjab is heading toward progress and prosperity, according to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

Speaking at the ‘clinics on wheels’ project celebration, the chief minister emphasized how this project will improve public health and change the health system.

She emphasized that all of the essential medical facilities were included in the Clinics on Wheels scheme. There would be multiple locations for the 200 mobile clinics. Gynecology services, screenings, immunizations, and medical testing will all be offered at the clinics.

There will be ultrasound equipment available at 50 of the 200 mobile clinic locations. Up to 4 million people will be helped by this endeavor, especially in places without hospital services.

First choice for local physicians to volunteer for this project will be granted to those from 36 districts. Consideration is also being given to the lack of paramedical and nursing personnel.

The project, which was started by Nawaz Sharif and put on hold by the previous administration, is being restarted, according to the chief minister. According to her, her government’s goal is to deliver healthcare right to people’s doors.

Additionally, she revealed that eight districts in Punjab would have the construction of modern cardiology hospitals.

With Provincial Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafiq, Imran Nazir, and Health Secretary Ali Khan in attendance, CM Maryam officially launched the clinics on wheels project.

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Governor-rule attempt that is intolerable: Gandapur

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Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur of KP denounced the incident on May 9 and promised that those in charge will face national scrutiny.

While eight FIRs have been filed against him in eight different districts, Gandapur stressed that none of the accusations have been validated.

Proving he was going nowhere without a fight, Gandapur issued a warning against tampering with democracy.

Any attempt to obstruct progress will be greeted with strong resistance, he warned, so avoid using disruptive tactics.

Gandapur declared, “We will seize the governor’s mansion and I will not keep quiet about the chief minister’s seat if governor law is imposed.”

With the media there to ensure transparency, the Chief Minister boldly challenged his predecessor, Pervez Khattak, to participate in a public discussion in the Kaaba.

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