Latest news with #RamzanSugarMills
Express Tribune
07-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Shehbaz, Hamza acquitted in corruption reference
LAHORE: An anti-corruption court in Lahore on Thursday approved the plea of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shehbaz for acquittal in the Ramzan Sugar Mills drain case filed by NAB about eight years ago. Anti-Corruption Court Judge Sardar Muhammad Iqbal Dogar pronounced the verdict, which had been reserved since February 3. The judge acquitted Shehbaz and Hamza, ruling that punishment was unlikely in the case against them. On July 11, 2017, NAB had initiated inquiry on allegations that Shehbaz Sharif, the then Punjab chief minister, and Hamza got a drain constructed in 2015for the family's Ramzan Sugar Mills in Chiniot at the government expenses, hence causing a loss to Rs 213 million to the national exchequer. Shehbaz was arrested by NAB on October 5, 2018. Shehbaz and Hamza were indicted on corruption charges on April 9, 2019, after which Hamza was also arrested on June 11, 2019. Both were re-indicted in case on August 6, 2020, after new evidence led to a supplementary reference filed in the court. Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed hailed the verdict and congratulated PM Shahbaz and Hamza for their acquittal in the case. Senior Punjab Minister Maryam Aurangzeb also hailed the acquittal of the Sharifs. Talking to a private TV channel, she highlighted that no wrongdoing by Shehbaz and Hamza was proven in the court. Aurangzeb lambasted the PTI, stating that the case was a "prime example of political vendetta" by then prime minister Imran Khan.
Express Tribune
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Court acquits PM Shehbaz Sharif, son Hamza in Ramzan Sugar Mills case
Listen to article Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and former Punjab chief minister Hamza Shehbaz have been acquitted in the Ramzan Sugar Mills corruption case. The case, which had been ongoing since 2017, stemmed from accusations that the Shehbaz family had facilitated the construction of a drainage system for Ramzan Sugar Mills in Chiniot, leading to a financial loss of Rs213 million to the national exchequer, Express News reported The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had filed a reference against the two political figures, accusing them of corruption over the construction of the drainage system in 2015. During the proceedings, the Anti-Corruption Court's Judge, Sardar Muhammad Iqbal Dogar, stated that no grounds for conviction existed, and that no punishment was forthcoming for the accused. Shehbaz Sharif was arrested in October 2018, while Hamza was taken into custody in June 2019. They were later granted bail by the Lahore High Court. The legal proceedings included several key dates where charges were levied, dismissed, and refiled, with both individuals facing extensive periods of detention during the trial. Lasr week, Ramzan Sugar Mills case took a dramatic turn as the complainant disassociated himself from the case, stating in court that he had no objection to the acquittal of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shehbaz Sharif. Appearing before the anti-corruption court, complainant Zulfiqar Ali told Judge Sardar Muhammad Iqbal that he neither filed the complaint against the Sharifs nor was he aware of the application on which the case was initiated. "I withdraw this application," he said. At this, the judge directed Ali to submit an affidavit confirming his stance. Subsequently, Ali submitted the affidavit, reiterating that he had no involvement in the case. In his statement, he said that he was unaware of the complaint's content, had not signed any application and lacked any knowledge about the construction of the wastewater drain near Ramzan Sugar Mills, which lies at the heart of the case. "I have no objection if Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shehbaz Sharif are acquitted," Ali stated in his affidavit. The judge inquired if the complainant's statement had been recorded previously, to which Ali replied in the negative.
Express Tribune
30-01-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Prosecution to present arguments in sugar mills case
LAHORE: An Anti-Terrorism Court has directed the prosecution to present its arguments by February 3 on the acquittal applications of Prime Minister Mian Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shehbaz in the Ramzan Sugar Mills case. The case pertains to the alleged construction of a drain in Chiniot district, which was purportedly built to benefit a sugar mill owned by the prime minister's family, resulting in a claimed loss of Rs213 million to the national exchequer. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) initially filed the reference in 2018, accusing Shehbaz Sharif, in his capacity as the then-chief minister of Punjab, and Hamza Shehbaz of misusing their authority. However, the case took a new turn on January 28 when the complainant retracted his allegations and denied any connection to the case. During the court proceedings, the judge inquired about Hamza Shehbaz's absence, to which his counsel, Amjad Pervez, responded that he was abroad due to his daughter's health issues. The complainant, when cross-examined, stated that he had never filed any complaint against Shehbaz Sharif or his son. He further asserted that the drain was constructed for public benefit by a former MPA and was utilized by nearby residential areas. The defense counsel argued that the construction of the drain was not a personal directive from Shehbaz Sharif but was instead approved by the Punjab Assembly as part of broader development works. He further contended that no substantial evidence existed to prove that the drain was specifically built to benefit Ramzan Sugar Mills. Citing the complainant's affidavit, which stated that he had no knowledge of or involvement in the case, the defense maintained that there was no justification for continuing the proceedings. Following these arguments, the court adjourned the hearing until February 3, directing the prosecution to present its case.
