Accountability court seeks arguments from Maryam Nawaz’s counsel on NAB plea to close Chaudhry Sugar Mills case

LAHORE: An accountability court in Lahore on Thursday requested arguments from the legal counsel representing Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and her father, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, regarding a National Accountability Bureau (NAB) application seeking the closure of the Chaudhry Sugar Mills investigation.

During the hearing, Accountability Court Judge Rana Arif summoned the NAB-Lahore Director General after the investigating officer did not appear with the case record. Responding to the court's directive, NAB Lahore Director General Farhan Baig attended the proceedings and assured the court that all relevant records would be made available in a timely manner.

The court subsequently adjourned the hearing until March 16. Judge Rana Arif instructed Javed Arshad, the counsel for the chief minister, to present his arguments on NAB’s application at the next session.

The National Accountability Bureau’s Lahore office had submitted an application to the court, seeking to close the inquiry into the Chaudhry Sugar Mills case. In its application, NAB stated that there was no evidence available against Maryam Nawaz and Nawaz Sharif in connection with the case.

The Chaudhry Sugar Mills case has been under investigation for several years, with both Maryam Nawaz and Nawaz Sharif previously named in the inquiry. The current proceedings follow NAB’s formal request to end the investigation, citing a lack of evidence against the accused.

The court’s decision to seek arguments from the defence counsel marks the next step in determining whether the case will be officially closed as per NAB’s request.