NAB to file reference against Shehbaz by November end: official

KARACHI: The director general (DG) of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Lahore Thursday said that a corruption reference will be filed against Opposition Leader in National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif by the end of this month.

DG NAB Lahore Shehzad Saleem said so during his appearance on Geo News' show 'Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath'.

"We have found evidence on the basis of which we are filing a reference against Shehbaz Sharif," he said.

Shehbaz, who is also the president of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), was arrested by the NAB in Ashiana Iqbal housing scheme case on October 6. The opposition leader was taken into custody as he appeared before the anti-graft body to record statement in Punjab Saaf Pani Company case. 

Speaking of a case against Shehbaz's son-in-law Ali Imran, the DG NAB accused Imran of depositing official cheques in his personal account.

The case against Imran pertains to withdrawn official funds and where were they spent, he said.

Saleem lamented that whoever is summoned by NAB flees the country.

"Ali Imran left the country some 2, 3 months ago," he said, adding that Imran will be answering the anti-graft body's questions upon his return to country.

The DG NAB further stated that suspects say one thing while they are under custody, but change their statements once they get out of custody.

He said investigation of Ashiana Iqbal housing scheme case, in which Shehbaz was arrested last month, has been completed and it will be in the court by the end of this month.

"Every day a fire erupts at public buildings, this is how records are destroyed," Saleem claimed.

He also lamented that Salman Shehbaz was summoned by NAB, but he went abroad instead of appearing before the anti-corruption watchdog.

The DG NAB further said that a case registered against Punjab minister Aleem Khan was being investigated.

Some documents are required from abroad in the case relating to Khan and a verdict would be announced in it once those documents were received, he said.

Saleem further said that if needed in any case, then Chaudhry brothers and Moonis Ilahi would be taken into custody.