Pakistan’s anti-graft body summons Shahbaz Sharif

Sharif, 67, served as the chief minister of the politically crucial Punjab province from 2013 to 2018. He became PML-N president after his elder brother and three-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif was disqualified as the party president following a Supreme Court verdict in 2017.

On April 9, Sharif skipped an appearance before the NAB and asked that the date be rescheduled.

In the questionnaire, Sharif was asked why the summary of the formation of the Lahore Waste Management Company was approved without the advice of the finance and law department, the Express Tribune said.

He was asked why when one department was working, the formation of the company was deemed important.

Another questions include whether all the legal requirements were completed for the formation of the company, and why ISTEK was awarded the contract without bidding.

Sharif was already facing corruption cases against him in the 56 companies’ case, Ashiana-e-Iqbal Housing Society scam, Ramzan Sugar Mills case and others.

In the housing scam, Sharif is accused of ordering the cancellation of a contract given to a successful bidder for the low-cost housing scheme, resulting in a loss of Rs193 million (Dh4.4 million) to the national exchequer.

He has been indicted along with nine others in the Ashiana-e-Iqbal Housing Society scheme case. He was arrested by the NAB in the probe on October 5, 2018 and released on bail on February 14.

In the Ramzan Sugar Mills corruption case, Sharif and his son Hamza are accused of “fraudulently and dishonestly” causing a Rs213 million loss to the national exchequer.

Sharif and his family have denied any wrongdoing and allege that the corruption cases against them were politically motivated.