Pakistan: Authorities freeze opposition leader's assets

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AA) - Pakistan's anti-corruption authority on Tuesday issued orders to freeze immovable assets of opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif, who belongs to a powerful family in the South Asian nation where dynastic politics is rule of the day.

The National Accountability Bureau order also names his sons, Hamza Shehbaz and Suleman Shehbaz, local daily Express Tribune reported.

Twenty-three of their properties have been frozen, including two houses in Lahore city, which is the stronghold of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party that Shehbaz Sharif chairs.

The trio is being probed in cases related to money laundering and owning assets beyond known income. They deny the allegations saying they are being politically victimized as part of a larger crackdown against the opposition.

Hamza Shehbaz, who is leader of the opposition in the Punjab Assembly, is currently in the prison pending trial.

Shehbaz Sharif's ailing elder brother and three-time prime minister, Nawaz Sharif is out on bail seeking treatment in London.