SC rejects bail plea of Hamza Shehbaz in money laundering case

ISLAMABAD (92 News) - The Supreme Court (SC) has rejected the bail petition filed by PML-N leader Hamza Shehbaz in money laundering case after he decided to withdraw it on Friday.

A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Justice Mushir Alamheard the case. Justice Sardar Tariq Masood heard the bail petition of Hamza Shehbaz in money laundering case today.

The counsel of the petitioner, Azam Nazeer Tarar, appeared in the hearing.

Justice Masood questioned the lawyer whether the petitioner would continue to pursue the case or withdraw his plea. He maintained that the case was not filed in the high court on the grounds of hardship. “It is appropriate to move to the high court after the issuance of a report of the accountability court, he replied.

During the hearing, the lawyer said that no one could be kept under custody for an indefinite period, whereas, the reference was filed for Rs530 million instead of Rs7 billion. He continued that the reference was not filed against Hamza Shehbaz when he moved to the top court to get bail.

Justice Yahya Afridi remarked that the point which was not taken up in the high court cannot be taken up directly in the Supreme Court. It will be appropriate to approach the high court after the report of the accountability court.

Later, the top court turned down the plea after Hamza Shehbaz’s lawyer decided to withdraw the petition.

Speaking to the journalists outside thecourt, PML-N leader Atta Tarar said that Hamza Shehbaz Sharif has been in jail for 19 months. “The Supreme Court has remanded the case to the high court. It is hoped that Hamza Shahbaz will get bail from the high court.

Atta Tarar further said that Sheikh Azmat was the NAB prosecutor when the broadsheet agreement was signed. Sheikh Azmat does not have the right to investigate the broadsheet case. PML-N's policy on the broadsheet issue is clear.