LHC rejects Ahad Cheema's bail plea

Court extends physical remand for 14 days

The Lahore High Court on Tuesday reserved judgement against National Accountability Bureau’s request seeking an extension in the physical remand of Lahore Development Authority (LDA) former director Ahad Cheema in the Ashiana Housing scam.

Justice Ali Baqir Najifi and Justice Qasim headed the two-member bench and have rejected Ahad Cheema’s plea to grant him bail.

According to reports, security at the court premises was beefed up before Ahad Cheema’s appearance in court. Lawyers, court officials had to undergo security checks. A heavy police contingent was present outside the judicial complex and court room.

Cheema was presented in court along with the four other accused for an extension in physical remand.

Former chief engineer LDA Israr Saeed and consultant Arif Butt turned into approvers as today’s hearing took a crucial turn.

Ahad Cheema and Bismillah Engineering’s Shahid Shafiq were presented before the accountability court judge Najmul Hasan.



Former chief of Punjab Land Development Company (PLDC) Imtiaz Haider and Bilal Qidwai were also presented for an added 15-day physical remand.

During the hearing, counsel for NAB remarked that Ahad Cheema had a strong affiliation with Paragon's Nadeem Zia and he should have been a part of the hearing.

Accountability court judge said that Zia was called in for investigation but refused to be a part of it.

NAB's counsel further argued that the accused tried to conceal evidence and the data recovered from his laptop was encrypted and an expert was required for investigation.

The anti-graft watchdog also said that Cheema and company provided illegal contracts against the rules and regulations of Ashiana Housing Scheme.

NAB arrested former DG LDA Cheema for alleged corruption in the Ashiana Housing Scheme, a low-cost housing project of the Punjab government.

NAB Lahore officials had taken the incumbent chief executive officer of the Punjab Thermal Power Ltd, Cheema, into custody from his office on M M Alam Road in Gulberg area. Cheema was facing allegations of illegally allotting land for the housing scheme.