Housing scam: three important figures grilled by NAB team

Aside from quizzing Aleem, Salman and PM’s secretary, bureau arrests ex-Pepco MD


Muhammad Shahzad March 29, 2018
Aside from quizzing Aleem, Salman and PM’s secretary, bureau arrests ex-Pepco MD. PHOTO: RIAZ AHMED

LAHORE: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Aleem Khan, Secretary to PM Fawad Hassan Fawad and Punjab Health Minister Salman Rafique appeared on Thursday before a combined investigations team of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in connection with different graft cases.

Aleem Khan was summoned for submitting his statement in the Park View Housing Society scam.

NAB had served him many notices but he did not appear earlier as the matter was also pending before a court. However, the PTI leader had to appear on Thursday as the court’s stay order has ended. Khan is accused of initialing Tulip and Gold blocks in Park View society without following proper procedures.

Fawad asked to record his version with regard to his alleged role in Ashiyana-e-Iqbal Housing Society scam. At the time of the start of the project, he was serving as the implementation officer of the project.

Housing scam: Saad Rafique grilled at NAB for two hours

In Ashiyana scam, six accused including the former Lahore Development Authority (LDA) chief Ahad Khan Cheema have already been arrested. These people allegedly caused loss of billions of rupees to the exchequer by awarding contract of the project to a company that was not eligible.

Fawad was summoned on the basis of the statements of Cheema and another LDA official Israr Saeed. Fawad had allegedly pressured contractors that led to awarding of the bid to Casa Developers.

Paragon Housing Society was also found associated with the case during investigations and Salman Rafique was summoned in connection with Paragon Housing scam.

He was reportedly a partner in the society along with his brother Saad Rafique, who was grilled by NAB on Wednesday. NAB asked Salman to provide all the documents regarding the society.

Meanwhile, two officers of the LDA – Israr Abbasi and Arif Bhatti – issued their confessionary statements in Ashiyana scam. They claimed that they were forced by their officers to become approver in the case.

Housing scam: NAB summons Saad Rafique again on March 29

NAB Chairman Justice (retired) Javed Iqbal approved their approver-ship based on which they were presented before the court. The court sent them on judicial remand.

Open court

An open court was also held at the NAB Complex at Thokar Niaz Beg by NAB Lahore Director General Saleem Shahzad, who listened to the complaints of the aggrieved parties.

An overwhelming majority of the complaints were related to frauds in housing societies particularly Eden Housing Society, Khayaban-e-Amin, Farmanites and Elite Town. After hearing the complaints, NAB DG ordered initiation of criminal proceedings against administration of these societies.

According to procedure for start of criminal proceedings, an advertisement will be published in newspapers against the administration, NAB said, adding that during the open court, NAB DG assured the complainants of justice.

 

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