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The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has filed a corruption reference on Friday against MNA Khawaja Saad Rafique and his brother MPA Salman Rafique in the Paragon City housing scam.
Both PML-N leaders were booked in by NAB in Lahore last year in December and are currently they are in Lahore’s Camp Jail, The Nation reported.
Despite being incarcerated the parliamentarians have regularly attended the Assembly sessions after the Speakers of the National and Provincial Assemblies issued orders.
Among others booked in the Paragon City housing scandal is Nadeem Zia who is still at large.
The Directorate General (DG) of NAB chaired a regional board meeting including all the regional directors on Friday and approved the reference against the two PML-N leaders, this reference will be filed in with the accountability court. The members also discussed on the progress in the investigation of mega corruption cases.
According to NAB’s spokesperson, the board has approved for filing of reference against Khawaja Rafique and Khawaja Salman Rafique and Nadeem Zia.
Furthermore according to NAB – Lahore, the accused Qaiser Amin Butt and Nadeem Zia established an Air Avenue Company in June 2003, which was later converted into M/S Paragon City Private Limited.
Both the accused have served as the Directors of Paragon City Scheme, whereas, bothappliedfor approval of “Lay-out-Plan” from Nazim and Aziz Bhatti Towns for housing scheme which stretched up to 7002 kanals.
It was also revealed during the proceedings that Paragon City Housing Scheme is an illegal project that has failed to acquire an approval from the Lahore Development Authority (LDA).
According to the further details revealed by Lahore NAB, “The role of Khawaja Saad Rafique and Khawaja Salman Rafique regarding embezzlement is referred as both accused persons obtained 20 developed plots in the society measuring 2-Kanal each which were taken as exemption against transfer of 50-Kanal land to the Paragon City.”
Similarly the NAB also stated that, “Accused Khawaja Saad Rafique remains sole proprietor of Saadain Associates and accused Salman Rafique is sole proprietor of KSR Associates.”
“An amount of Rs 58 million was transferred from bank accounts of Executive Builders (a sister concern of Paragon City) to bank account of Saadain Associates, whereas, an amount of Rs 39 million were transferred from bank accounts of Executive Builders to KSR Associates,” stated by Lahore NAB.
A statement released by the NAB Lahore stated that Qaiser Amin Butt was arrested by NAB last year in November who on record stated that he became an approver against Khawaja brothers and Nadeem Zia before the Magistrate.
“So far, at least 68 claimants amounting to Rs 549 million approximately have approached Lahore NAB against the management of the Paragon Housing Society.”
The spokesperson also informed that the report along with the recommendations for approval of reference will be forwarded to the NAB headquarters.
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