Ahad Cheema’s judicial remand extended till September 26

LAHORE: The judicial remand of former Lahore Development Authority (LDA) director general Ahad Cheema was extended for 14 days in a case related to assets beyond known sources of income, ARY News reported on Thursday.

Cheema was presented by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) officials before Lahore’s NAB court under strict security. The hearing was presided over by Judge, Chaudhry Ameer Muhammad Khan.

At the outset of the hearing, the judge asked NAB’s Investigation Officer (IO) of the case to present detailed report before the court.

Later the hearing of the case was adjourned till September 26.

According to anti-graft watchdog, Cheema possesses assets worth Rs600 million and had failed to satisfy the bureau regarding his sources of income.

The properties owned by the ex-DG LDA allegedly include several plots in various housing schemes in Lahore and Islamabad, agricultural lands, flats and houses. The properties were mostly registered in his mother, wife and other relatives’ names.

Cheema was arrested in February over charges of misusing his authority by awarding Ashiana Housing contract worth Rs14 billion to Lahore Casa Developers, that was ineligible for the contract.

NAB had filed a reference against Mr Cheema and five others in June, over their alleged role in Ashiana Housing Scheme scam.