Ahad Cheema approaches LHC for bail in assets case

LAHORE: Former Director General Lahore Development Authority Ahad Khan Cheema has approached the Lahore High Court (LHC) for bail in assets beyond means case against him.

Ahad Cheema through his bail petition had submitted that National Accountability Bureau (NAB) initially arrested him in connection with Ashiana-e-Iqbal Housing scam despite the fact that he extended complete cooperation to NAB authorities in investigations.

He submitted that during the custody of the bureau, DG NAB issued another warrant of arrest and he was also arrested in assets beyond means case.

He submitted that the bureau had filed a reference against him in the accountability court, wherein it was alleged that he (Ahad Cheema) and his family members owned illegal assets of worth Rs 440 million.

He submitted that the trial court had framed charges and summoned prosecution witnesses after he pleaded not guilty.

He contended that all the charges leveled against him were baseless and the bureau did not have any evidence against him.

Cheema submitted that he was behind the bar since February 2, 2018 whereas the trial was at initial stage and its conclusion was not possible on account of the peculiar charges. Hence, imprisonment for an indefinite period would be tantamount to punishment before trial, he added.

He pleaded with the court to grant him benefit of bail, as investigations had been completed in the case and no more confinement was required.