The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has challenged the Lahore High Court’s February 4, 2026, ruling in the Chaudhry Sugar Mills case before the Federal Shariat Court of Pakistan.
An appeal was filed through the Additional Prosecutor General, seeking to nullify the High Court decision. NAB argued that once a case is withdrawn at the inquiry stage, the accountability court has no judicial authority over it, and judicial approval is not required under law. Therefore, the matter cannot be included in court proceedings through a judicial ruling.
The petition stated that the Lahore High Court issued its decision without issuing notice to the Attorney General’s office. NAB added that when the Chairman of NAB approved the withdrawal of the case, the High Court had no legal authority to intervene and acted beyond its jurisdiction by taking suo motu notice.
The Chaudhry Sugar Mills inquiry was initially launched on November 14, 2018. During the investigation, Maryam Nawaz, listed as party one, was arrested on August 8, 2019, and sent on 48-day physical remand. She later applied for post-arrest bail in the Lahore High Court. On October 31, 2019, the court approved her bail upon submission of two surety bonds worth Rs10 million each, along with Rs7 crore and her passport to the Judicial Registrar.
NAB challenged the bail in the Supreme Court, which dismissed the plea on August 22, 2023, based on the withdrawal of the case.
Following amendments to NAB law, the investigation officer concluded that no corruption or corrupt practice case could be made. Consequently, on April 3, 2024, NAB’s Executive Board withdrew proceedings under Section 31B(1).
After the case was closed, Maryam Nawaz filed a miscellaneous petition in the Lahore High Court requesting the return of Rs7 crore. The High Court held that the accountability court’s approval is necessary to formally close the case and directed the Lahore Accountability Court to decide the matter within one month.