The IHC prevents the FIA from arresting Suleman Shahbaz.

ISLAMABAD – The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday barred the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) from apprehending Suleman Shahbaz, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s son, in a money laundering case.

IHC Chief Justice Amir Farooq issued the order while hearing a petition filed by Mr Suleman seeking protective bail in the case because he intended to return to Pakistan and end his self-imposed exile.

During the hearing, Amjad Pervaiz, the premier’s son’s lawyer, informed the court that his client would arrive in Islamabad from Saudi Arabia on December 11. As a result, the chief justice ordered the suspect to appear in court on December 13.

A day earlier, Mr Suleman petitioned the high court for protective bail, claiming that a fake case of money laundering had been lodged against him.

“Despite residing in the UK since October 27th, 2018, I had never received a notification from the FIA, which had opened a case against me while I was gone.” I left the country in 2018, but the lawsuit was not filed until 2020 or later. “The judge should establish two weeks’ protective bail,” he stated.

Suleman accused Shahzad Akbar, a former assistant to deposed Prime Minister Imran Khan, of tying him up in bogus lawsuits. “We will not take any unwarranted action against political opponents’ families,” he insisted.

In July, a special court in Lahore declared the prime minister’s son a proclaimed offender in a Rs16 billion money laundering case involving Sharif family members.