NAB initiates probe against Shehbaz Sharif in graft case

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Saturday initiated an inquiry against Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president Shehbaz Sharif in connection to his alleged involvement in the Ashiana Iqbal Housing Scheme case.

Quoting sources, Geo News reported that Sharif did not answer most of the questions on holding disproportionate assets asked by the NAB officials in connection to the Rs 14 billion housing scam.

On October 5, Sharif was arrested by the NAB on charges of misusing authority and corruption in the housing scheme during his tenure as the Chief Minister of Punjab province from 2013 to 2018. He was sent to a 10-day remand by an accountability court. The Pakistan opposition leader's physical remand was extended to 14 days on October 16.

The PML-N chief has denied any wrongdoings and called the allegations as "baseless". Scores of party leaders staged a protest across the country, calling for Sharif's release.

Earlier, former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif had termed the "ridiculous" arrest of his brother as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government's "worst victimisation." He had also claimed that the Pakistan opposition leader was arrested on orders of Prime Minister Imran Khan.