Monitoring Desk
ISLAMABAD/LAHORE: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) of Pakistan declared Suleman Shehbaz, the son of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, innocent in the Rs16 billion money laundering scam, citing a lack of evidence.
The Federal Investigation Agency declared Suleman innocent during the hearing his pre-arrest bail application before a special court in the Lahore on Saturday.
Special Judge Central Bakht Fakhar Behzad heard the alleged money laundering case.
FIA declares Suleman innocent in money laundering case
Farooq Bajwa, Special prosecutor and FIA investigating officer, appeared before the court along with an interim challan, granting ‘absolution’ to Suleman.
The judge inquired from him where the record was along with the challan.
The investigation officer replied the challan would be presented after getting it officially approved by the authorities concerned.
At the start of the proceedings, the FIA submitted the challan before the court, declaring that the agency did not find any evidence against Suleman in the money laundering case after months of investigation.
Advocate Amjad Pervaiz said since Suleman Shehbaz has been declared innocent in the Federal Investigation Agency challan, he has wanted to withdraw the bail applications of Suleman and Tahir Naqvi. The special court allowed him to withdraw the applications.
Suleman, who returned to Pakistan on December 11, 2022 after four-year of self-exile in London, was facing charges of laundering Rs16 billion.
Prior to his return, the IHC had restrained the NAB and Federal Investigation Agency from arresting him.
Now the arguments would evolve around the acquittal of 13 other accused involved in the money laundering case.
The court adjourned the hearing till February 4.
