Court reserves verdict on bail pleas of PM Shehbaz Sharif, CM Hamza Shehbaz.

LAHORE -- A special court on Saturday reserved its verdict on pre-arrest bail pleas of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif,

Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz and others in a case registered by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) against them.

Special Judge Central Ijaz Hassan Awan conducted the case proceedings, wherein Prime Minister

Shehbaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz and others appeared.

At the outset of the proceedings, FIA's Prosecutor Farooq Bajwa submitted a report about the arrest

warrants of Suleman Shehbaz, Malik Maqsood, and Tahir Naqvi. He submitted that the accused were

not available at the given addresses.

At this, the court observed that media had broadcast news about the death of accused Malik Maqsood.

Whether the news is correct, it questioned.

To which, the prosecutor replied that a letter had been written to Interpol for the confirmation of death.

He submitted that after receiving Interpol's reply, the court would be apprised in this regard.

At this stage, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif came on the rostrum and sought permission for briefing

about case facts.

After getting permission from the court, he submitted that FIA officials twice visited him in jail and

he verbally briefed them about all facts. He submitted that all cases against him were decided on

merit and he was cleared.

Shehbaz Sharif submitted that serious allegations were levelled against him and he attended dozens

of proceedings.

He submitted that it appeared that the FIA filed the challan with a delay as it wanted to arrest him.

Shehbaz Sharif submitted that he was neither director nor owner or share holder of the sugar mills.

He submitted that as a result of his actions, sugar mills of his family faced...