LHC throws out plea challenging Shehbaz Sharif acquittal in Rs16bn case

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday upheld objections to a petition challenging the acquittal of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his sons in a Rs16 billion money laundering case, effectively dismissing the plea on grounds of maintainability.

Chief Justice Aalia Neelum heard the case after the court registrar’s office raised questions over the petitioner’s legal standing. During proceedings, the chief justice asked the petitioner’s counsel to justify how his client was an aggrieved party eligible to challenge the acquittal.

The court noted that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), which prosecuted the case, had not filed any appeal against the trial court’s verdict — a key factor in determining the petition’s validity.

The petitioner’s lawyer argued that the acquittal, issued in December 2022, overlooked substantial evidence and alleged collusion between the FIA and the accused. He also maintained that courts could entertain delayed petitions in matters of public interest.

However, Chief Justice Neelum rejected the arguments and sustained the registrar’s objection, reinforcing the principle that only the prosecution or defence can file appeals in criminal cases.

The FIA had originally booked PM Shehbaz, along with his sons Hamza Shehbaz and Suleman Shehbaz, in November 2020 under multiple charges, including fraud and money laundering.

A special court acquitted Shehbaz and Hamza in October 2022, citing lack of probability of conviction, while Suleman was cleared in July 2023. The trial court had also ordered action against former accountability adviser Mirza Shahzad Akbar and certain FIA officials for allegedly pursuing a “frivolous” case.

An appeal filed by Akbar was later dismissed by the LHC in 2025 due to non-prosecution.