Khawaja brothers indicted in Paragon housing case

LAHORE (92 News) – An accountability court Lahore on Wednesday indicted Pakistan Muslim League-N (PMLN) leader Khawaja Saad Rafique and his brother Salman Rafique in the Paragon Housing Scheme case. Judge Jawwadul Hassan heard the case. Khawaja Saad Rafique and Salman Rafique were produced before court on the expiry of their judicial remand. They have both denied the charges leveled against them. The court also summoned witnesses against the PML-N leaders at the next hearing on September. It is pertinent to mention here that Saad Rafique is accused of holding major shares in Paragon City, however, he denies this and says he only owns a few houses and land in the society. Later, the court adjourned the hearing till September 13. Earlier on April 26, the NAB Lahore approved the filing of a reference against the Khawaja brothers and Nadeem Zia for the alleged corruption in the same case. The decision was taken in a regional board meeting that was attended by NAB Lahore’s director general and other directors. On December 11, Khawaja brothers were arrested after the Lahore High Court did not extend their interim bail. In the previous hearing on August 20, the indictment of the Khawaja brothers was delayed due to non-provision of readable copies of the reference to the suspects by the NAB, and subsequently Judge Syed Jawadul Hassan extended their judicial remand till September 4. According to NAB, Saad Rafique colluded with his wife, brother, Qaiser Amin Butt and Nadeem Zia to form Paragon Housing Society. The Lahore Development Authority remarked that the housing project was unapproved. The former federal minister is accused of misusing his authority and causing billions of rupees loss to the country.