Judicial remand of Rafique brothers extended till March 4

Judge censures IO for slow investigation, told reference to be complete before March 11

LAHORE: An accountability court on Saturday approved a 16-day extension in the judicial remand of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders Khawaja Saad Rafique and Khawaja Salman Rafique.

The court ordered the authorities concerned to present the brothers for the next hearing of the Paragon Housing case on March 4.

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.

To a query by the judge on progress in finalising a reference, the case investigation officer said it would be complete before the 90-day mark of the PML-N leaders' incarceration.

Court approves 14-day judicial remand of Rafique brothers

The judge directed the officer to speed up the pace of investigation and told him to submit a final report at the earliest.

The Rafique 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 Rafique 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.