–Shehbaz asks to leave courtroom due to backache but judge refuses only to allow him later on
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif on Monday appeared before the court in the reference pertaining to Ashiana-e-Iqbal Housing Society where the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutor presented an investigation report in the case.
Shehbaz complained about backache and asked to be excused but Accountability Court Judge Najmul Hasan, who was hearing the case, refused his request and asked him to have a seat. However, the judge changed his mind later and allowed the PML-N president to leave the courtroom.
The witnesses were also present in the courtroom to record their testimonies in the case.
On February 18, the court indicted Shehbaz and other accused in the case. The judge had framed charges against the PML-N president and other accused during the hearing. However, Shehbaz and others denied the charges and termed the reference filed against him ‘false’.
Shehbaz is facing charges of misusing his authority to illegally issue directives for cancellation of the contract with regard to the housing project in 2014, causing Rs715 million losses to the national exchequer.