PM Denies Any Wrongdoing; Says Drains Built Across Province.

LAHORE -- Accountability Court in Lahore on Monday allowed permanent exemption from personal appearance to Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Ramzan Sugar Mills reference filed by National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Accountability Court Judge Sajid Awan conducted the case proceedings, wherein the prime minister appeared and got his attendance marked. However, Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz did not appear before the court as his legal team filed an application for a one-time exemption from personal appearance, saying their client was busy owing to the budget session.

During the proceedings, prime minister's counsel Advocate Amjad Pervaiz advanced his arguments on the exemption application and argued that the court allowed the same application for permanent exemption of his client in the past. He submitted that now Shehbaz Sharif had become prime minister and his responsibilities had increased manifold. He submitted that his client never misused permanent exemption from personal appearance, besides requesting for appointment of a pleader to represent him under the law.

However, the NAB prosecutor opposed the exemption application of the prime minister, saying that no medical or necessary documents had been attached with the application. He submitted that there had been no progress in trial for the past six months and if the court allowed the application then the trial would be affected. He pleaded with the court to dismiss the application.

At this stage, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also took the rostrum and sought permission to brief the court about some facts. After getting permission from the court, he submitted that he never filed an exemption application without any reason and ensured his presence whenever the court summoned him.

He requested for permanent exemption from personal appearance as being a Prime Minister, he had huge responsibility on his shoulders. He assured the court that he would follow the court's order even if his application was rejected.

PM Shehbaz Sharif submitted that when he was Punjab Chief Minister, he had always preferred the welfare of masses. He submitted that he preferred the interests of sugarcane growers rather than the sugar mills while determining prices of sugarcane...