Court approves 14-day judicial remand of Rafique brothers

PML-N leader and brother to be presented in court on February 16

An accountability court on Saturday approved a 14-day judicial remand of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders Khawaja Saad Rafique and brother Khawaja Salman Rafique.

The court ordered the authorities concerned to present the brothers for the next hearing of the Paragon Housing case on February 16.

They were brought to the court amid tight security as heavy contingents of police, including the Anti-Riot Force (ARF), were deployed around the premises.

As the brothers' physical remand expired on Saturday, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutor asked the court for another 15-day extension.

Accountability court approves another seven-day extension in Rafique brothers' remand

However, the court turned down the request to extend their physical remand and, instead, approved a two-week judicial remand.

The Khawaja brothers were arrested by NAB on December 11, after the Lahore High Court rejected their request for an extension in their pre-arrest bail.

NAB has alleged that Saad Rafique, in connivance with his wife Ghazala Butt, brother Salman Rafique, Qaiser Amin Butt and Nadeem Zia, started a housing project named ‘Air Avenue’, which was later renamed ‘Paragon City Limited’.

NAB alleges that the housing scheme was set up illegally and the Khawaja brothers, in connivance with Nadeem Zia and Qaiser Amin Butt, defrauded a large number of buyers.

They are also accused of embezzling the housing project’s funds for personal gains.