NAB to file reference against Rafique brothers

Regional office sends recommendation to NAB chairman for his approval

ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has approved filing a reference against the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders Khawaja Saad Rafique and his brother Khawaja Salman Rafique in connection with the Paragon Housing Society case.

NAB’s regional board took the decision on Friday during a meeting held at NAB Complex in Lahore to review progress in investigation into mage corruption cases

The meeting, chaired by NAB Lahore Director General Shahzad Saleem, agreed to file a reference against the accused in the Paragon Housing Society scam housing.  The meeting later sent investigation report with recommendation to approve filing of reference to NAB headquarters for approval of NAB chairman.

The accused in the case include Saad Rafique, Salman Rafique and Nadeem Zia. Saad and Salman have been in NAB custody since December 2018. However, Zia has been declared an absconder.

According to NAB, a Qaiser Amin Butt and Nadeem Zia in June 2003 established a company – Air Avenue Pvt Ltd. The company was renamed as the Paragon City in August 2003.



Butt and Zia, both directors of the Paragon City, applied to Aziz Bhatti Town’s nazim for approval of ‘lay-out plan’ of the said scheme measuring up to 7,002kanal. They got the technical approval in Jan 2005.

During NAB investigation, it was revealed that Paragon City is still an illegal project which has not yet been approved by the Lahore Development Authority (LDA). NAB said Saad and Salman obtained 20 plots in the society.

Saad and Salman are sole proprietor of Saadain Associates and accused the KSR Associates respectively Qaiser Amin Butt was arrested by NAB on November 14, 2018 but he became an approver against Khawaja brothers and accused Nadeem Zia before a magistrate in December 2018.  So far, 68 claims amounting to Rs549million have been received against management of the society.