ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday dismissed Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s son Suleman in the money laundering case and disproportionate assets reference filed against him by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). Security deposit granted for 14 days. Accountability Bureau (NAB).
Earlier today, Suleiman appeared before a single-member bench of IHC Chief Justice Aamir Farooq seeking bail in the money laundering case.
During the hearing, Justice Farooq asked Suleman’s lawyer in which court his client has to appear.
Suleman’s lawyer Amjad Pervaiz told the IHC Chief Justice that his client has to appear before the Special Judge Central in Lahore.
After learning this, Justice Farooq granted protective bail to the Prime Minister’s son and directed him to appear before the concerned court within 14 days.
In his petition before the IHC, Suleman argued that he left Pakistan in 2018 and the case was registered against him in 2020. He also stated that the FIA did not issue him a call-up notice, adding that he had been declared an advertisement. Without any action by the court.
Later in the day, Suleman appeared before a divisional bench of the IHC seeking bail in the disproportionate assets case.
After hearing the arguments, the bench granted 14-day anticipatory bail in the case and directed the accountability watchdog not to arrest him.
Due to non-appearance in the case, the court had declared Suleman as an admiral.
The IHC had earlier ordered Suleman to surrender to it by December 13 and barred authorities from arresting him until then.
The court issued the order after his client assured the bench that Suleman would return to the country.
Following the court’s order, Suleman arrived in Pakistan on Sunday after spending more than four years in self-imposed exile in Britain.
Time has come for Imran Khan’s accountability
Speaking to the media after the court hearing, Suleman criticized Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and said that the time has come for his accountability.
It is time for accountability. We will not forgive him. We will not give him any place anymore, he will be punished,” said Suleman.
Asked about Imran Khan’s wife’s friend Farah Gogi, who allegedly sold watches gifted to Khan, Suleman wondered why she fled Pakistan.
You are crying that Farah Gogi is not a public office holder. I was not even a public office holder,” Suleman said. He added that the PTI chairman did not even consider women while in power and arrested them.
“You had power, you could prove cases,” Solomon said.
The prime minister’s son also criticized former National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman Javed Iqbal, saying that he is a “black spot” on the accountability system.
Suleman shared that the case was registered in the UK during Imran Khan’s tenure at the request of the Pakistani government. However, he added that Britain’s National Crime Agency had found no evidence of money laundering against his father.
The Prime Minister’s son asked the PTI chief to show the transaction of money received from the sale of watches gifted by the Saudi Crown Prince.
