Pakistan's Accountability Bureau arrests PML(N) leader Shehbaz Sharif
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Media reports said Shehbaz was arrested for his alleged role in the Saaf Pani corruption scandal.
Pakistan's National Accountability Bureau(NAB) today arrested former PM Nawaz Sharif's brother PML(N) leader Shehbaz Sharif in Lahore on Friday.
Shehbaz Sharif, 67, is the leader of the Opposition in Pakistan's National Assembly and a key leader of PML(N).
"Shahbaz Sharif on Friday appeared before an investigation team of the National Accountability Bureau Lahore. He was arrested after he failed to satisfy the investigator for his alleged role in awarding contracts to his favourite firm in violations of rules in the Ashiana Housing scheme and Punjab Saaf Pani Company," NAB spokesperson Nawazish Ali Asim said.
The anti-graft agency spokesman added that the former Punjab chief minister will be presented before an accountability court for a physical remand.
Marriyum Aurangzeb, spokeswoman of (PML-N) said the arrest was a move to "influence" upcoming by-elections on October 14 that are crucial for PM Imran Khan's coalition government.
"This is nothing but political victimisation," she said.
PML(N) chief Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam were arrested ahead of the July 25th general election in Pakistan on corruption charges.
The ousted prime minister was sentenced to 10 years in prison by an anti-corruption agency after the Supreme Court removed him from power.
Nawaz Sharif was however released from prison last month after a court suspended his sentence pending an appeal.