NAB investigation into Chaudhry Sugar Mills case against Maryam Nawaz, Nawaz Sharif closed

An accountability court on Monday approved the closure of the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) investigation into the Chaudhry Sugar Mills case involving Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and her father, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, officials said.

The case centered on alleged money laundering and income beyond means through Chaudhry Sugar Mills, in which Maryam Nawaz was a major shareholder. The decision comes after a Lahore High Court (LHC) order directed NAB to submit a termination report to the accountability court.

Judge Rana Arif said NAB’s move to close the investigation was “in accordance with the law” and noted that Maryam Nawaz could now withdraw her Rs70 million surety bond, previously deposited for post-arrest bail.

The court had heard arguments last week from the legal teams of Maryam Nawaz and Nawaz Sharif regarding NAB’s application for closure. NAB explained that the LHC had mandated the submission of a termination report as part of legal compliance.

Maryam Nawaz was first arrested in connection with the case on August 8, 2019, from Kot Lakhpat jail while visiting her then-incarcerated father, accompanied by her daughter and cousin Yousaf Abbas. On November 4, 2019, the LHC granted her bail on the condition of surrendering her passport and depositing Rs70 million with the registrar judicial.

In October 2022, the LHC returned her passport after NAB confirmed it was no longer required. With the accountability court’s Monday order, both Maryam Nawaz and Nawaz Sharif have been cleared of all allegations related to Chaudhry Sugar Mills.