Four references against Sharif family, Ishaq Dar sent to NAB headquarters

LAHORE - National Accountability Bureau’s two regional offices of Lahore  and Rawalpindi have sent four references against Sharif family and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar to headquarters for final review, local media reported.

NAB Lahore and Rawalpindi approved the references during a meeting of regional office on Friday and after their completion.

The references will be finally reviewed by NAB chief before sending to an accountability court to decide them.

The Lahore office has sent two references, one against the Sharif family regarding ownership of London flats and other against Ishaq Dar for owning assets beyond his known sources of income.

Similarly, NAB Rawalpindi prepared two references against Sharif family regarding Hill Metal Establishment and purchase of Al-Azizia Steel Mills.

The regional offices also suggest the seizure of all properties owned by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, his children named Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Nawaz and Maryam Nawaz.

It has also been asked the headquarters to put the names of members of Sharif family and Ishaq Dar on Exit Control List (ECL).

The Supreme Court while announcing the landmark decision of Panamagate case, which caused ouster of Nawaz Sharif on July 28, had ordered the NAB to file references against the Sharif family and Ishaq Dar within six weeks. It also directed the NAB to decide the references within six months.

During the course of investigation, the NAB summoned the members of Sharif family to join investigations regarding London flats and Al-Azizia Steel Mills, but they did not pay heed to the notices.

The NAB also recorded the statement of Wajid Zia, who had headed a joint investigation team formed by the apex court to probe the assets of Sharif family.