Court extends judicial remand of Khawaja brothers till 30th

LAHORE: An accountability court on Thursday extended judicial remand of former railways minister Khawaja Saad Rafique and his brother former provincial minister Khawaja Salman Rafique in Paragon City scam till May 30.

Accountability Court Judge Syed Jawadul Hassan conducted the proceedings wherein National Accountability Bureau's (NAB) officials produced Khawaja Salman Rafique.

The investigation officer told that Khawaja Saad Rafique was in Islamabad to attend the session of National Assembly, in response to a court query. An application was also submitted on his behalf for exemption from personal appearance.

The officer submitted that the reference had been sent to NAB chairman for approval, in response to another court query about reference.

At this, the court directed for filing final investigation report as soon as possible besides extending judicial remand of the Khawaja brothers till May 30.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Khawaja brothers' post arrest bail petitions were pending before a Lahore High Court (LHC) division bench.

The Khawaja brothers were arrested on Dec 11, 2018 after a LHC division dismissed their pre-arrest bail petitions.

The bureau had alleged that the Khawaja brothers launched Paragon City housing project through their "benamidars". The Paragon City was an illegal society and not approved by the Lahore Development Authority, it added.

It further alleged that the suspects along with other accomplices cheated the public at large and obtained illegal financial benefits from funds of the society.