LAHORE, Oct 11(ABC): The Special Court, Central, Wednesday acquitted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shahbaz in the Rs16 billion money laundering case lodged against them by the Federal Investigation Agency.
The court announced its judgment in the mega money laundering case against the Shehbaz family after the FIA prosecutor informed the court that no money was directly deposited in the accounts of the father-son duo.
The father-son duo — who were summoned today — did not appear before the court as their counsel filed a request for exemption as PM Shehbaz had official engagements and Hamza was not well.
The court acquitted the prime minister and his son after the FIA — last week — had cleared the PML-N leaders on the charges of laundering Rs16 billion as there was “no direct evidence” against the father-son duo.
During today’s hearing, FIA prosecutor Farooq Bajwa opposed acquitting the suspects, saying that Hamza and Shehbaz are allegedly involved in the Rs16 billion money laundering case.
“We want this case to proceed. The case should go on till the suspects have been indicted,” the prosecutor urged.
However, Special Court Judge Ejaz Awan noted that the FIA has failed to produce “concrete evidence” in the challan submitted before the court against the suspects. Following this, the court acquitted the suspects.
In the previous hearing on Tuesday, the judge asked about the number of bank accounts owned by the Malik Maqsood — also known as Maqsood Chaprasi.
The FIA prosecutor Farooq Bajwa responded that late Maqsood had eight bank accounts to his name.
The prosecutor further stated that no money was either directly deposited or withdrawn from the accounts of the suspects, including Shehbaz and Hamza.
The judge asked what evidence was there to substantiate that the entire money dealing was being done at Hamza’s behest.
In response, FIA’s prosecutor said the agency does not have “any evidence” linking him to money laundering.
‘Fake, baseless, based on political vengeance’
After the verdict’s announcement, the prime minister thanked God for his acquittal and termed the case against him “fake, baseless, and based on political vengeance”.
“No matter how much I thank God enough for this, it won’t be enough,” he said in a tweet.
PM Shehbaz said that “despite the worst practices, use of state force, and holding institutions hostage,” he still triumphed.
In a statement, the former chief minister said the verdict marks the victory of “truth, righteousness, and honesty”.
“In this politically motivated case, I was kept behind bars for almost 22 months, but despite that, we fought the case vigorously,” Hamza said.
“The nation’s money was wasted, and the reputation of institutions was also damaged due to the cases lodged on Imran Khan’s directions,” the PML-N leader said.
Hamza said that before Pakistani courts, the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency also gave a clean chit to PM Shehbaz.
“The actual money launderer is Imran Niazi, who received funds through a ‘tea boy’. He is a certified foreign-funded [politician], who will now have to face the courts,” he added.
Felicitating PM Shehbaz and Hamza, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Ata Tarar said that with this verdict the “narrative of vindictive accountability of the Imran-era has been buried.”
“Where is [Khan’s former aide on accountability] Shahzad Akbar?” he questioned during a press conference.
PML-N MPA Hina Pervaiz Butt said another case “proved to be just a political vendetta against the Sharif family”.
“No amount of lies can stop the naked flood of Truth. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Hamza Shehbaz stand vindicated […] Remember Sharifs can’t be intimidated and can’t be bowed down,” she added.
