PML-N President and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shahbaz Sharif put forward his complain to an accountability court about National Accountability Bureau (NAB) official’s ‘inhumane and humiliating’ behavior during physical custody on Monday.
Shahbaz Sharif was earlier arrested on September 28 from Lahore High Court (LHC) by NAB after his bail was rejected by the court in money laundering and illegal assets reference. He has been under the custody of NAB since then.
“I have been humiliated and subjected to cruelty during the remand despite my known medical history,” Shahbaz told the presiding judge Jawadul Hassan.
Shahbaz further stated that he understood that his custody comes in compliance with the court’s order but it does not warrant authorities to deprive him of his basic rights.
“Initially the officials used to provide me food on a table in the detention room but now they deliberately put it on the ground so I feel pain picking it up,” Shahbaz informed the judge.
Shahbaz also alleged that he was denied help by NAB officials in changing the position of his chair for prayers for the last two days.
He further alleged Prime Minister Imran Khan and his adviser Mirza Shahbaz Akhtar of commanding this inhumane behavior towards him. “If anything happens to me I would lodge a FIR against both of them,” warns Shahbaz.
Judge Jawadul Hassan took serious notice of Shahbaz’s complains and warned NAB that any inhumane behavior would not be tolerated during the remand. He maintained that being the former Chief Minister of Punjab, Shahbaz deserves civil treatment from the officials.
“I will take notice if there are any complaints in the future,” he added.
In response to these allegations, NAB prosecutor maintained that Shahbaz was not even kept in a lock-up but in a dispensary instead thus, deeming them false.
NAB Chairman Retired Justice Javed Iqbal also raised concerns over Shabaz’s complaints and launched an investigation to assess the ‘factual position’. Chairman also ensures that all prisoners would be treated with respect as per the law.
