NAB arrests Shehbaz Sharif over Ashiana Housing scandal

LAHORE - The National Accountability Bureau on Friday arrested Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) president and former chief minister Shehbaz Sharif in the Rs14 billion Ashiana-i-Iqbal Housing Scheme case.

He was detained by the anti-graft body at the accountability body’s Lahore office following a hearing in Punjab Saaf Pani Company. A heavy contingent of Rangers has been posted outside NAB office.

The arrest of former Punjab chief minister followed shocking revelations of ex-principal secretary to PM, Fawad Hasan Fawad, who has become an approver in the cases against Shehbaz Sharif.

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Following Sharif's arrest, his private security staff and white land cruiser were sent away by NAB officials.

A large number of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supporters reached the NAB office near Thokar Niaz Baig to protest what they say 'political victimization' of their leaders.


According to the rules, the anti-corruption body has to take permission from the National Assembly speaker to arrest the leader of Opposition in the lower house of the Parliament.

The Bureau, in a statement, confirmed Sharif's arrest and added that the PML-N president will be presented before an accountability court on Saturday (tomorrow).



Earlier, the Opposition leader in National Assembly had appeared before NAB on a couple of occasions in the Saaf Pani Company and Rs14 billion Ashiana Housing Scheme scams and recorded his statement. He is accused of violating the PPRA rules in the award of contracts in the Saaf Pani Company affairs.

NAB in November last had launched a thorough probe into the affairs of the 56 public-sector companies formed by Shahbaz administration in Punjab for their alleged involvement in corruption.

This is a developing story and will be updated soon.