FIA offloads Sharifs’ alleged ‘front-man’ from Dubai-bound flight

FIA offloads Sharifs’ alleged ‘front-man’ from Dubai-bound flight

Lahore (Staff Report): The Federal Investigators Agency (FIA) on Monday off-loaded a man, allegedly working as a ‘front man’ of Sharif family, from a Dubai-bound Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight.

Muhammad Mushtaq alias Chini – manager of Ramzan Sugar Mills – was barred by the FIA from boarding as his name was on the Exit Control List (ECL). The suspect has been handed over to NAB.

According to sources, Mushtaq is accused of illegally transferring Rs70 million in Salman Shehbaz's bank account and his name was placed on the ECL on NAB's request.

On the other hand, a spokesperson of the Sharif family disowned Muhammad Mushtaq and said he was never a manager of the Ramzan Sugar Mills.

Earlier the day, The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday accepted Opposition Leader in the the Punjab Assembly Hamza Shehbaz’ bail for cases pertaining to ownership of assets beyond means and money laundering till April 17 after ordering him to submit surety bonds of Rs10 million.

A two-judge bench, comprising Justice Malik Shahzad and Justice Mirza Waqas Rauf, heard the plea of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader.

The bench also barred the anti-corruption watchdog from arresting the PML-N leader till further orders.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) carried out two successive raids on Friday and Saturday at PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif's Model Town residence to arrest his son Hamza.

On Saturday, the LHC issued a short order granting interim bail to Hamza until April 8.

Strict security arrangements have been made around the LHC premises ahead of the hearing. According to police sources, 568 policemen have been deployed while two superintendent police, six deputy superintendents and 10 inspectors are also on-duty.