Accountability Court Closes Chaudhry Sugar Mills Inquiry Against Maryam Nawaz, Nawaz Sharif

An accountability court has formally ordered the closure of the inquiry against Maryam Nawaz, Punjab Chief Minister, and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in the Chaudhry Sugar Mills case, following a request filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

The closure was approved by Accountability Court Judge Rana Arif during a hearing on NAB’s application seeking formal permission to terminate the inquiry into the assets of the two leaders.

During the proceedings, arguments were presented by both NAB’s prosecutor and the Sharif family’s counsel. The NAB prosecutor explained that the inquiry had been closed due to amendments in NAB laws, which limited the bureau’s jurisdiction over the matter.

According to the prosecution, the inquiry concerned the assets of Chaudhry Sugar Mills’ owners, including Maryam Nawaz and Nawaz Sharif, but investigators found no evidence of corruption. Under the revised legal framework, NAB could no longer continue the investigation.

Counsel for the Sharif family, Javed Arshad Bhatti, also supported the closure of the case.

The court further permitted Maryam Nawaz to withdraw the Rs70 million she had deposited as bail surety in the Chaudhry Sugar Mills case. Earlier, she had approached the Lahore High Court requesting the return of her surety, and the high court had directed NAB to file an application in the accountability court for the formal closure of the inquiry.

Following these directives, NAB submitted its application, which has now been approved, officially ending the investigation into the Sharif family’s assets in the case.