Housing scam: Saad Rafique grilled at NAB for two hours

Appears in connection with Aashiyana Housing scam

LAHORE: Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique appeared before the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in an investigation pertaining to Paragon Housing Society Scam. According to NAB sources, the federal minister remained at its regional headquarters for more than two hours and answered various queries of the Combined Investigation Team (CIT).

The inquiry was held in connection with the on-going investigation of the Aashiyana Housing scam, in which an amount of over Rs30 million had been transferred into the account of Paragon housing society, which is said to have been owned by Khawaja Saad in 2014. NAB also determined that this amount was used to purchase a massive land by Ahad Khan Cheema and relatives.

It is pertinent to mention that NAB had initially summoned Khawaja Saad Rafique and his brother, Punjab minister Khawaja Salman Rafique on March 22, but the railways minister had requested the accountability bureau to postpone the questioning and sent his counsel to seek a later appearance date.

Meanwhile, talking to the media post his NAB appearance, the Railways minister said that he has submitted a written reply along with a verbal statement to NAB against the questionnaire provided to him.



“I have been against NAB since its inception as there is always an ulterior motive behind its accountability,” said Rafique, adding that despite his reservations he would still cooperate with the bureau.

The railways minister also expressed regret over some channels holding media trial of his family and called it against journalistic norms.

“It is a positive development and will only strengthen the state”, said the minister when questioned about the meeting between Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Chief Justice Saqib Nasir. He however added that the prime minister did not meet the chief justice to devise any sort of arrangements.

Furthermore, the bureau has summoned Saad Rafique's brother, Punjab minister Khawaja Salman Rafique, on March 29.