An accountability court here Saturday extended judicial remand of former railways minister Khwaja Saad Rafiq and his brother Khwaja Salman till March 4 and directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to ensure early filing of the reference in the Paragon city case. The NAB alleged that the Paragon City was an illegal society and not approved by the Lahore Development Authority, it added. It also alleged that Saad Rafiq through his "benamidar" wife Ghazala and in connivance with his brother Salman, former MPA Qaiser Amin Butt and Nadeem Zia established a housing project in the name of Air Avenue.
It further alleged that the suspects along with other accomplices cheated public at large and obtained illegal financial benefits from the funds of the illegal society. It said the former railways minister had been and was continuously receiving monitory benefits from the housing project as he obtained 40-kanal land in his own name and in the name of his brother.
It said Saad received Rs 100 million approximately from Executive Builders (a proxy setup of Paragon City) in bank accounts of M/s Saadain Associates and M/s KSR Associates. The NAB further claimed that at least 90 individuals who were not given plots in the Paragon City despite payments had filed complaints with it.
The Khawaja brothers talking to the media after the hearing of the case slammed jail officials for bringing them to accountability court in an old and uncomfortable Armour Personnel Carrier (APC). Khawaja Saad complained, "The uncomfortable journey has increased my leg pain". He demanded of Chief Minister Usman Buzdar to take notice of the situation and order action against the responsible jail officials.