PML-N leader Hamza Shahbaz released from jail
PML-N leader Hamza Shahbaz has been released from the Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore after 20 months.
His bail in a money laundering case was approved by the Lahore High Court on Wednesday. The politician has been instructed to submit a Rs10 million surety bond.
The PML-N leader addressed the party supporters after his release from the prison.
“Today, the whole nation has seen the logical conclusion of this accountability circus,” Hamza told his supporters. He added that the government has not been able to prove any corruption allegations against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his party leaders in the past three years.
“The day of accountability is near,” Hamza added.
On Saturday afternoon, PML-N workers gathered outside the jail to welcome Hamza. PML-N vice-president Maryam Nawaz reached Jati Umrah as well.
In a press conference earlier in the day she said, “There is no doubt that Hamza Shehbaz is our party worker who has been serving us relentlessly. We are each other’s helping hands and we will perform the responsibilities given to us.”
Hamza filed the bail petition on February 2. He said that he has been incarcerated for 19 months. The reference against him was filed 14 months after the arrest and he was indicted after 16 months, the application read.
There are 110 witnesses in the case and so far only five have been cross-examined, said his lawyer. Even if the case is heard on an everyday basis, it will still take 10-12 months, he added.
Read: Hamza Shahbaz withdraws bail application in Supreme Court
Here’s a brief timeline of the case proceedings:
- June 11, 2019: Hamza Shahbaz is taken into NAB custody after the Lahore High Court dismissed his plea for pre-arrest bail.
- August 20, 2020: A reference is filed against him and 10 others.
- November 11, 2020: Hamza is indicted, while six others, including Hamza’s mother Nusrat Shahbaz, are declared absconders.
- February 25, 2021: Hamza’s bail approved by the Lahore High Court.
Hamza’s bail in the Ramazan Sugar Mills case has already been approved.
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