NAB gets accountability court's nod to arrest Hamza Shahbaz
A heavy contingent of police has been deployed in the area.
LAHORE (Dunya News) – The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Saturday has got green signal from accountability court to arrest the Leader of the Opposition in Punjab Assembly Hamza Shahbaz over charges of money laundering and assets beyond known sources of income.
The court has also allowed NAB to force entry into Shehbaz‘s residence to arrest Hamza where he is present at the moment and directed to exercise minimum use of power.
NAB team present outside ex-Punjab CM s Model Town residence has also called in Rangers to assist the action.
Rangers reach Model Town residence
A heavy contingent of police has been deployed to avoid any untoward situation and all roads leading to the residence have been blocked.
Meanwhile, scores of PML-N workers have gathered at the main entrance to the house and are facing an intense standoff with security personnel.
Many party workers were observed trying to break through barriers placed by police, and clashed with officers. Other workers have been chanting full-throat slogans against police and the government.
"We will not leave without arresting Hamza"
NAB Additional Director Chaudhry Asghar, while speaking to the media, outside Shahbaz’s residence in Model Town area of Lahore said, "Hamza Shahbaz should not hide inside the home. We are here to arrest Hamza and we should be allowed to go inside the house."
"We have Hamza s arrest warrant. Popular politician is trying to evade his arrest," he said, adding that the department has completed all legal formalities before the action.
"We will not leave without arresting Hamza," he asserted.
Chaudhry Asghar talks to media
Moreover, Punjab chief minister s spokesperson Shahbaz Gill "NAB is independent and not bound to inform us regarding inquiries."
“The NAB has also arrested workers of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The government has no authority to restrict the NAB,” he said.
He maintained that the government’s responsibility was to maintain law and order situation, and no one would be allowed to take law in his hands. “If government were backing the action, he would have been arrested yesterday.”
NAB’s raid on Friday
A team of the NAB Lahore on Friday returned without arresting Hamza, despite of having an arrest warrant, after facing resistance from his security guards and party workers.
Later, the NAB requested the interior ministry to put his name on the Exit Control List (ECL).
Following the incident, Hamza addressed a press conference and presented a document that he described as a high court order.
"I have a court order saying that I will be informed 10 days prior to arrest," he had said, adding that the court told him he would be given an opportunity to make a case for obtaining a bail as well.
FIR lodged against Hamza‘s guards
On the other hand, an FIR has been lodged against Hamza Shahbaz’s security guards for torturing NAB team. Provisions related to interference in government matters and vandalism were included in the FIR.
NAB’s driver Mumtaz Hussain told in his complaint that the team had raided Hamza’s house for arrest in money laundering issue during which PML-N leader’s guards loaded their guns.
Money laundering allegations
NAB sources revealed that Hamza Shahbaz had declared property worth 2 crore in 2003 while his assets grew 2000 percent during the PML-N government. The opposition leader had illegally laundered 85 billions abroad, the sources told.
The officials claimed that they have already detained Sharif family‘s facilitators while more arrests are also likely.
