LAHORE- The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) barred Hamza Shehbaz Sharif from leaving the country, in a surprise move, on Tuesday.
The agency offloaded Hamza, member of the Punjab Assembly, who was heading to Qatar from Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore.
The lawmaker was boarding a plane of Qatar Airways, 620, bound for Doha but was not allowed to travel abroad – for reasons not disclosed as yet.
As per FIA, the National Accountability Bureau had requested to place the name of Hamza Shehbaz on Exit Control List (ECL) which was accepted.
On the other hand, defending his position, Hamza Shehbaz said he was heading to meet his brother Salman in London.
‘I am not wanted in any case by NAB,’ Hamza asserted.
Although no reference has been filed against Hamza Shehbaz by the National Accountability Bureau or by FIA, he is under the radar of the anti-graft body owing in the Punjab Saaf Pani Company for allegedly presiding over meetings of the board of directors despite the fact he was not even its member.
Hamza, along with his brother Salman, is also facing the investigations regarding assets beyond income though no charge has been framed against the duo.
Hamza is regularly appearing before the Lahore bureau of NAB and has also sought protective bail from the Lahore High Court.
Moreover, Shehbaz Sharif, the former chief minister Punjab is already in the custody of accountability watchdog in the Ashiana-e-Iqbal case.
