ISLAMABAD: The Sharif Trust case, which was brought against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif and his family, has been closed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) with six other corruption investigations.
The accountability agency released a statement stating that the decision was made on January 1, 2024, during the bureau’s Executive Board Meeting (EBM), which was presided over by NAB Chairman Lt Gen (retd) Nazir Ahmed Butt.
The NAB said that it has received permission to close the Sharif Trust case. On March 31, 2000, the inquiry into the case was authorized. According to the allegation, the Sharif family had obtained substantial amounts of money from the Sharif Trust through unethical means.
It was also alleged that money had been embezzled and that the trust’s accounts had not been examined by an audit. The Sharif family was accused of obtaining riches under the pretense of benami properties registered in the trust’s name.
The Joint inquiry Team (JIT), which was established to look into the Panama Papers, criticized the NAB in a report it gave to the Supreme Court for improperly prolonging the inquiry into the Sharif Trust case.
The Joint inquiry Team (JIT) suggested that the NAB be instructed to move quickly to finish the inquiry.
According to Section 31-B of the National Accountability Act, 2022, as revised by the government led by Shehbaz Sharif’s Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), the bureau has now closed the inquiry.
According to Section 31B, “Withdrawal and Termination of Pending Proceedings: (1) Prior to the filing of a reference, the Chairman, NAB, in consultation with the Prosecutor General, may, partially, entirely, conditionally, or unconditionally withdraw or terminate any proceedings under this Act if such proceedings are unjustified, having regard to the totality of facts, circumstances, and evidence.”
In the event that a reference is filed and the Chairman of the NAB, after consulting with the Prosecutor General, determines that the reference is partially or entirely unjustified, he may propose to the Court, where the matter is pending, that the reference be withdrawn or terminated in part or in full. Upon such withdrawal or termination, the accused will be released from prosecution for the relevant offense(s) if the recommendation is made before charges have been framed, and will be acquitted if made after the charges have been framed.
In addition, the NAB closed the cases of corruption in Safe City against Inspector General (IG) Akbar Nasir Khan of Islamabad and Park Enclave Housing Society against Capital Development Authority (CDA) executives and officials.
The accountability panel also ended its investigation into the improper appointments of favored persons by federal government officials. This included investigations into Shahid Malik, Shahbaz Yaseen Malik, Saima Shehbaz Malik, and other individuals.
