An important meeting of the National Accountability Bureau’s (NAB) Executive Board approved the closure of corruption cases against PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and his family, as well as some others, including the Islamabad police chief.

The meeting of the NAB Executive Board was presided over by NAB Chairman Lt Gen (r) Nazir Ahmed Butt on January 1.

In yet another major relief for the former premier and his family members, the board approved the closure of six corruption cases, which included a 24-year-old case against Nawaz Sharif and his family in the Sharif Trust case.

The inquiry against Islamabad Inspector General of Islamabad Akbar Nasir in the Safe City corruption case was also shut.

Moreover, the board also gave its nod to close the Park Enclave Housing Society inquiry against some officers of the Capital Development Authority, while another inquiry was also okayed to be closed against federal officers for recruiting people of their choice.

The NAB board also approved the closure of an inquiry against Shahid Malik and Shahbaz Yasin Malik, the CEO of Hilton Pharma.

The investigation against the Sharif family into the Sharif Trust Case was launched on March 31, 2000 over allegations of receiving large funds in the Sharif Trust through illicit means, lack of audits, misappropriation in funds and benami property acquisition by the Sharif family in the name of the Trust.

The Panama Papers JIT report submitted to the Supreme Court had criticized the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for delays in the investigation, urging them to prioritize it.

Under the newly amended National Accountability Act 2002 by the previous PDM government, the NAB has terminated the Sharif Trust investigation under Section 31-B.