Shehbaz Sharif's Arrest, Bail Battles, and Acquittal in Money Laundering Cases: A Timeline of Legal Saga

Key Points

• Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president and Leader of the Opposition Shehbaz Sharif arrested on 28 September 2020 by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in money laundering case from Lahore High Court (LHC) premises after rejection of interim bail extension.
• Sharif remained in custody for nearly seven months until post-arrest bail granted by LHC full bench on Thursday before his release on Friday from Kot Lakhpat jail after submitting surety bonds.
• Previous arrests: NAB arrested Sharif on 5 October 2018 in Ashiana-i-Iqbal Housing Scheme and Ramzan Sugar Mills cases; released on bail by LHC on 17 February 2019.
• In June 2022, as Prime Minister, Sharif and son Hamza granted pre-arrest bail in $78 million sugar scam case by Lahore court due to lack of evidence; Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) accused them of laundering 14 billion PKR through 28 benami accounts.
• NAB submitted supplementary report declaring Shehbaz Sharif, Hamza Shehbaz, and others "innocent" in money laundering case; report presented to Accountability Court by Judge Qamar-ul-Zaman, revealing acquittal of all charges after examining 17,000 credit transactions from 2008-2018.
• Case involved alleged laundering of 16.3 billion PKR through fake accounts; Suleman Shehbaz (absconding in UK) and 14 others named in FIR; FIA submitted challan in December 2020 for 16 billion PKR in sugar scam.
• PML-N leaders avoided protests upon Sharif's 2020 release due to coronavirus pandemic; Maryam Nawaz tweeted "Welcome back home officially too dearest Uncle."
• Earlier 2018 arrest described as ahead of polls in longstanding corruption case by anti-graft body.

**INVERTED PYRAMID OF TRIANGLE**

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has been declared "innocent" in a high-profile money laundering case by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), marking the culmination of a years-long legal battle involving multiple arrests, bails, and investigations into alleged financial irregularities spanning from 2018 to recent years.

Who is Shehbaz Sharif and What Are the Core Allegations?

As reported by WION in their YouTube video coverage, Shehbaz Sharif is the current president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and leader of the opposition in Pakistan's National Assembly.

The allegations centre on money laundering through fake and benami accounts. According to the National Herald India report, NAB filed the case alleging Shehbaz Sharif and family members were involved in money laundering and illegal transfer of funds through fake accounts, with investigations detecting 28 benami accounts belonging to the Shehbaz family through which 16.3 billion PKR was laundered between 2008 and 2018.

What Did the Investigation Uncover?

The investigation team examined the money trail of 17,000 credit transactions, as detailed in the National Herald India article. The supplementary report submitted by NAB to the Accountability Court revealed that the amount was kept under "hidden accounts" given to Shehbaz Sharif in a personal capacity.

When and How Was Shehbaz Sharif First Arrested in the Money Laundering Probe?

As reported by WION in their 28 September 2020 YouTube video, Pakistan Muslim League president Shehbaz Sharif was arrested in a money laundering case from the Lahore High Court (LHC) premises after his bail plea was rejected. NAB officials took him into custody following the rejection of his interim bail extension bid by the LHC.

The video transcript states: "shava's arrest follows the rejection of his interim bail extension bid by the lahore high court the national accountability bureau has implicated shahbaz sharif."

What Happened Immediately After the Arrest?

Shehbaz was taken into custody from the LHC premises, as per the WION transcript: "shahbaz was taken into custody from the lahore high court premises." He remained in NAB’s custody for 23 days until the trial court sent him on judicial remand on 20 October 2020, according to Dawn's report by their correspondent.

How Long Did Shehbaz Sharif Spend in Jail?

As reported by Dawn in their article "Shehbaz released from jail after nearly seven months as bail approved," Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif was released from Lahore's Kot Lakhpat central jail after nearly seven months on Friday. He had been arrested on 28 September 2020 after the LHC refused to further extend his pre-arrest bail, first granted on 3 June the previous year.

Kot Lakhpat jail Superintendent Asad Warraich confirmed the release, noting Sharif left for his Model Town residence after submitting the required surety bonds.

Why No Celebrations Upon Release?

PML-N leaders announced they would not carry out any protest or rally to celebrate Sharif's release due to the coronavirus pandemic, as stated in Dawn's coverage. PML-N vice president and Sharif's niece Maryam Nawaz tweeted: "Welcome back home officially too dearest Uncle."

What Role Did the Courts Play in Earlier Decisions?

At the outset of a hearing covered by Dawn, NAB special prosecutor Syed Faisal Raza Bokhari referred to a statement by Advocate Azam Nazir Tarar, Sharif's counsel, about a split decision by a division bench. Tarar stated it was unfortunate that the bench initially allowed the bail petition and later issued a split decision, adding he had never witnessed a change in an announced decision in his 27 years of law practice.

Sharif was granted post-arrest bail in the money laundering reference by a full bench of the LHC on Thursday prior to his release.

Were There Prior Arrests in Other Cases?

As per Dawn's detailed timeline, in the past, Shehbaz Sharif was also arrested by NAB on 5 October 2018 in Ashiana-i-Iqbal Housing Scheme reference and later in Ramzan Sugar Mills case. The LHC released him on bail in both cases on 17 February 2019.

Additionally, as reported by New Straits Times in their 2018 article, Pakistan opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif was arrested on Friday in a longstanding corruption case by the country's anti-graft body ahead of polls.

What Developments Occurred During Sharif's Tenure as Prime Minister?

As covered by WION in their 14 June 2022 YouTube video, a Pakistani court granted pre-arrest bail to then-Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shehbaz, observing a lack of evidence against the father-son duo in the 78-million-dollar sugar scam case. The special court in Lahore stated there was lack of evidence, despite FIA's intent to arrest.

The transcript notes: "that there was lack of evidence against the two in the 78 million dollar sugar scam case now special court in lahore city said that the federal investigation agency's intent to arrest the premier." Post-release, the probe agency wanted to arrest them again; they were accused in an alleged sugar mill scam.

Details of the Sugar Scam Allegations?

The WION video details that FIA had detected 28 benami accounts allegedly belonging to Shehbaz family through which 14 billion PKR was laundered. It mentions: "the fia had detected 28 nami bin army accounts allegedly belonging to shahbaz family through which the amount of 14 billion pakistani rupees was laundered." Court had issued an arrest warrant against Hamza as well.

FIA submitted a challan in December 2020 against Sharif and son for alleged involvement in laundering 16 billion PKR in the sugar scam, per National Herald India.

What is the Latest Verdict and Who Else is Involved?

The National Herald India reports that NAB submitted a supplementary report on Monday declaring Shehbaz Sharif, Hamza Shehbaz, and others acquitted of all charges. The report was presented during the hearing by Judge Qamar-ul-Zaman at the Accountability Court.

Shehbaz and Hamza were booked along with Suleman Shehbaz, who was absconding in the UK, and fourteen other people named in the FIR.

Any Recent Political Context?

While not directly related to the legal cases, Arab News reported on Sharif's political moves, noting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif invited jailed former premier Imran Khan's PTI for talks amid polarization. PTI leadership, including Khan, faces prison sentences in multiple cases, which PTI calls politically motivated. Sharif insisted talks cannot proceed on blackmail but on legitimate issues.

PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan supported dialogue alongside movements. This follows Khan and wife's 17-year sentence for understating state gifts' value.

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