An accountability court on Saturday extended by 14 days the physical remand of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Saad Rafique and his brother Salman Rafique in connection with the Paragon Housing Society scandal, a private TV channel reported.
National Accountability Bureau (NAB) officials presented the PML-N leader and his brother before the court to seek an extension in their physical remand. During the hearing, the judge asked the NAB investigation officer regarding how many people he had issued notices to. “We have summoned 32 individuals to probe the accounts,” the investigation officer responded. The judge further inquired, “Does Saad Rafique have any role in the Paragon Housing Society scam?” Responding to the question, the investigation officer said, “We will present the evidence of their involvement in the scandal.”
NAB representative Waris Ali Janjua claimed that billions of rupees were transferred to the accounts of Gufran and Qadeer – the sons of Khawaja Salman Rafique and Nadeem Zia respectively. He told the court that 12 to 13 accounts of Paragon were under investigation, adding that they plan to interrogate Gufran as well. He revealed that multiple suspect transactions had been made through the accounts of Paragon City and that the State Bank of Pakistan had informed the watchdog thrice about the transactions.
Janjua further said that MS Executive Builders is also under probe, whereas notices have been issued to more than 30 people for investigation.
The NAB prosecutor then requested the court for an extension in the physical remand of the Khawaja brothers. However, the counsel of the PML-N leader and his brother raised objections to it. The court reserved its decision at first but later approved NAB’s request and extended their physical remand by 14 days.
Ordering that Saad and Salman be presented before court on January 19, the court adjourned the hearing of the case.
On December 11, the NAB had arrested the Khawaja brothers after the Lahore High Court (LHC) rejected their request for an extension in their pre-arrest bail in the case pertaining to the housing society scam.
Speaking outside the accountability court, Khawaja Saad Rafique said those who brought Prime Minister Imran Khan into power are now regretting it. “The country has been given to incompetent people. Imran government has pushed the country towards crisis,” he said, adding that the upcoming budget will bring a wave of massive inflation in the country. “The people of Pakistan will soon get rid of the civil dictatorship present in the country,” he asserted.
The PML-N leader said the political victimization being carried out in the name of accountability will not last long. “Time will change soon. We are not corrupt … our conscience is clear.”
Taking a jibe at Prime Minister Imran Khan, the PML-N leader said, “Right now, the prime minister is roaming all over the world with a begging bowl.”
Published in Daily Times, January 6th 2019.
