A special court has ruled that 13 bank accounts belonging to companies connected to Suleman Shehbaz, the younger son of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, must be frozen. The decision is related to a multi-million dollar money laundering investigation against the prime minister and his sons, according to local media. A ruling had been made on Wednesday by the special court of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
According to Pakistani newspaper Dawn, the agency has charged the prime minister and his two sons, Suleman and Hamza Shehbaz, with laundering more than $14 billion. Suleman, the eldest son, apparently oversees the family business in the UK.
The presiding judge issued an order freezing Suleman’s 13 bank accounts in addition to his moveable and immovable properties since Suleman has not surrendered to the court. On September 17, when the FIA prosecutor will also present a response to the petitions filed by the PM and his son Hamza seeking acquittal in the case, the judge has also summoned bank employees.
Earlier this week, their indictment was postponed after their attorney informed the court that their clients had submitted a petition for acquittal. The attorney also asked for a one-time exemption from appearance for the premier, alleging that he was unable to show up for Wednesday’s sessions because of his engagement in flood rescue activities.
The Pakistani prime minister denied the allegations and disputed past statements that the FIA would be unable to incriminate him.
