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LHC seeks final arguments in Khawaja brothers bail petitions

LHC seeks final arguments in Khawaja brothers bail petitions
May 20, 2019
LAHORE (92 News) – A Lahore High Court (LHC) division bench on Monday adjourned hearing of bail petitions, filed by former railways minister Khawaja Saad Rafique and his brother former provincial minister Khawaja Salman Rafique in Paragon City scam, till May 27. The division bench headed by Justice Ali Baqar Najafi heard the post-arrest bail petitions, filed by the Khawaja brothers. The bench sought final arguments from the parties on the next date of hearing. During the hearing, Advocate Amjad Pervaiz, on behalf of the Khawaja brothers, apprised the bench that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had not filed any reference against his clients yet, in response to a court query. He further argued that the corruption watchdog had levelled baseless allegations against his clients. The NAB prosecutor argued that the NAB had found evidence of money transfer to the accounts of both brothers. To which, Khawaja brothers’ counsel submitted that his clients had provided all details in tax returns. He contended that the amount mentioned by the prosecutor was service charges. Later, the bench adjourned further hearing till May 27 and sought final arguments from the parties.
NAB allegations
Following their arrests, the NAB Lahore had issued a press release and stated that “Accused Saad along with his benamidaar wife Ghazala Saad Rafique, brother Salman in association with Qaiser Amin Butt and Nadeem Zia established a housing project in the name of Air Avenue which was converted into a new housing project namely M/S Paragon City Pvt Limited. Record shows that M/S Paragon City is an illegal society.” “Accused in collusion, connivance and collaboration of Qaiser Amin Butt and Nadeem Zia cheated the members of public at large and obtained illegal pecuniary benefits from the funds of said illegal housing project,” it added. Further, it stated, “Accused is operating this illegal housing project through his associates/ co-accused persons who are collecting deposits from general public despite clear directions from LDA that this project is unapproved.” “Accused has been and is continuously obtaining illegal/ illegitimate funds/ benefits from said project as he obtained 40 kanal plots in his own name and the name of his brother Salman.”