The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) asked PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif appear in person again on June 2 after he replied to various queries by interrogators in connection with an inquiry into assets beyond means.

Shehbaz spent more than 90 minutes at NAB’s Lahore office on Monday and faced the grilling by officials. Later, he left the premises for his home.

Previously, the PML-N president had not appeared before the NAB despite summoned twice last month as he cited the threat to his health because of the coronavirus.

But the NAB later said he couldn’t satisfy the interrogators with his answers and should, therefore, appear at the office on June 2. 

Earlier in the day, PML-N spokesperson Marriyum Aurangzeb said the party president would appear before NAB despite the threats posed by the coronavirus pandemic as he respected law.

In a statement, the spokesperson said the doctors had advised Shehbaz that he shouldn’t leave home to put his life in danger because of the reduced immunity and their certificates were attached with the application submitted to the NAB.

They had requested previously too that Shehbaz’s life could face danger as he had a reduced immunity after going through a cancer-related surgery, which meant that he could be affected by the coronavirus, Marriyum added.

She said the party president had provided all the required documents on the day the NAB summoned him. He had told the Bureau that he would share more if asked.

Noting that the Skype address was also provided to the NAB for questioning, Marriyum said the information was shared with the Bureau after collecting the same from Pakistan and the US as well as on the basis of personal recollection.

Hamza Shehbaz

An accountability court adjourned the hearing of a case pertaining to Ramzan Sugar mills and money laundering after directing the NAB to file a reference at the earliest against Hamza Shehbaz.

The orders came as the PML-N leader could not be presented before the court because of the coronavirus pandemic the orders to ensure his appearance for indictment.