Anti-graft body shuts Nawaz Sharif probe due to lack of evidence

Islamabad: Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Wednesday closed an inquiry against former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Khushal Pakistan Programme (KPP) due to lack of evidence.

The decision was approved in NAB’s executive board meeting held in Islamabad presided by chairman Javed Iqbal.

The board also closed investigations against former Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, former chief minister Punjab Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and Chaudhry Manzoor Elahi due to insufficient evidence, said an official statement.

Mr Sharif was disqualified on July 28 by the Supreme Court for hiding assets. The ousted PM is now facing corruption charges filed against him by the NAB.

Meanwhile on Wednesday, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s lawyer Khawaja Harris appeared before the court in Avenfield reference and said that the prosecution has put all burden on the accused.

The accountability court resumed the hearing of the Avenfield references against Sharif family. During the proceedings, Khawaja Harris argued that the prosecution did not inquire about known sources of Nawaz Sharif’s income.

He said the flats were never owned by Nawaz Sharif, and without knowing sources of income, “how could the court find contradiction.”

He continued that the court’s proceedings were based on investigations not on assumptions.The board approved investigations against Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) leaders Muhammad Safdar, Ameer Muqam and Malik Qasim for having income beyond known sources.

It approved sending a case to the Federal Investigation Agency for an inquiry against illegal appointments and corruption in Pakistan Television, the statement said.

“It approved investigations against management of defence housing authority Islamabad, Bahria Town, chairman capital development authority and others for illegal allotment of land,” the statement added.