NAB to reopen high-profile case against Shehbaz Sharif, Hamza Shahbaz

LAHORE: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has decided to file an appeal seeking to reopen the Ramzan Sugar Mills corruption case, which involves allegations of misuse of public funds by former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shahbaz.

The case has been a subject of considerable public interest and legal maneuvering. According to sources, NAB Lahore has decided to file the appeal in the light of the Supreme Court verdict that restored the NAB Ordinance of 1999.

The Ramzan Sugar Mills corruption case was filed by NAB in February 2019, accusing Shehbaz of issuing a directive while being Punjab’s chief minister for the construction of a drain in district Chiniot for the use of Ramzan Sugar Mills, which is owned by his sons Hamza and Suleman. NAB has said Rs200 million was spent for this purpose from the public money.

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Last year, the accountability courts had sent the Ramazan Sugar Mills reference back to NAB after the NAB Ordinance of 2022 had eliminated the provision for filing appeals on financial matters under Rs500 million⁵. The case remains a focal point of public attention, with its outcome poised to have significant political and legal implications.

The Lahore High Court granted bail to Shehbaz Sharif in the case in February 2020, but the NAB decided to file an appeal seeking to reopen the case in September 2023, in the light of the Supreme Court verdict that restored the NAB Ordinance of 1999. The outcome of the case is poised to have significant political and legal implications.

The NAB Lahore has also reopened the cases related to Al-Arabia Sugar Mills and assets beyond known sources of income against the father and son duo.

On September 15, the Supreme Court has issued a detailed 2:1 majority verdict, nullifying amendments made to NAB laws.