Shehbaz Sharif’s remand extended for 14 days in Ashiana Housing scam

LAHORE (92 News) – The Accountability Court on Tuesday extended 14-days physical remand of former Punjab chief minister Shehbaz Sharif in Ashiana Housing Scheme case. However, after extension in the remand, Shehbaz Sharif was reached again in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) office. During the hearing, the NAB prosecutor argued that Shehbaz did not cooperate in investigation; the investigation was being conducted in the law jurisdictions and requested to extension in remand. Meanwhile, the opposition leader argued in the court, saying that he completely collaborated with the NAB investigation team. He said that he was not investigated in first three days and he himself presented for investigation. The former chief minister further argued that he completely answered the questionnaire which was given by the investigators. “I call NAB officers myself to question me,” he added. Earlier before, the court reserved its decision on the NAB request for a 15-day extension in the PML-N president’s remand. The NAB presented Shehbaz Sharif before an accountability court after his 10-day remand ended. The NAB requested to the court for seeking extension in 15-day remand of the opposition leader. Meanwhile, the court remanded Shehbaz Sharif till October 31. Shehbaz Sharif was shifted to the court in a car with painted windows. Shehbaz’s sons Hamza and Salman also reached the accountability court’s premises. The PML-N leaders talked with the opposition leader in the court premises. The N league leaders congratulated the PML-N president for success in by election. Strict security arrangements are in place on the routes leading to the court's premises with blockades installed in several places. Citizens commuting to office and schools are facing severe inconvenience. A day earlier, the NAB interrogated Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) president Shehbaz Sharif before his appearance in the Accountability court. 92 News revealed the details of NAB interrogation with the opposition leader in National Assembly. According to the sources privy, the NAB investigators questioned Shehbaz Sharif in cases regarding to CASA Developers and Paragon City. The NAB investigator asked whether the former Punjab chief minister was aware of Khawaja Saad Rafique’s affiliation with the Paragon project. “Did any board member or any person of PLDC inform you about the connection between Paragon and CASA Developers?” The investigation officer also asked Shehbaz that had Saad requested to support CASA Developers in any meeting. However, the sources said that the former Punjab chief minister expressed unaware about many questions. Answering the questions, Shehbaz said that he had never discussed about illegal steps regarding Ashiana Iqbal with Saad in any meeting, adding that he did not know if any official of PLDC or LDA took bribe. He remarked that he acted upon a policy of zero tolerance against the corruption. The opposition leader said he himself ordered investigation into corruption allegations in Ashiana-e-Iqbal Housing scheme, adding that he was innocent. The NAB investigation team will present the investigative report in the Accountability Court tomorrow. The sources also said that the NAB will try to seek more remand from the court. Shehbaz Sharif was arrested in a graft case by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on October 5. He has been charged with awarding illegal contracts to his favourite firm in the Ashiana-e-Iqbal Housing scheme. NAB investigators quizzed Shehbaz Sharif regarding a tender awarded to a private consultancy firm for feasibility of Saaf Pani Company.