Paragon scandal: court extends Khawaja brothers' judicial remand till March 19

LAHORE: An accountability court on Monday extended the judicial remand of Khawaja brothers into Paragon Housing Society scandal until March 19, ARY News reported.

The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) authorities presented Khawaja Saad and his brother Khawaja Salman Rafique before the court.

As soon as the hearing resumed, the counsel of Khawaja brothers complained claimed that his clients are being humiliated by the bureau.

“My clients are being presented in the armored vehicle after blocking the roads, like they are prisoners of war,” the counsel said.

To this, the judge said, they are look into the matter of blocking the roads.

During hearing of the case, Khawaja Saad apprised the honourable judge that he is suffering from back-pain, and facing problems in travelling in the armored vehicle for the court appearance.

The court, adjourned the further hearing into the case until March 19.

On February 16, an accountability court extended the judicial remand of both the siblings for 16 days till March 4 in the scam.

Khawaja brothers are being investigated by the accountability watchdog for alleged corruption in Paragon Housing Society and accumulating wealth beyond known sources of income.

Saad Rafique and Salman Rafique were arrested on December 11 after the LHC rejected their bail plea.

National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had launched an investigation into the alleged scam in November last year after a number of victims staged protests and held a press conference at the Lahore Press Club against the fraud committed by Ashiana Iqbal Housing Society.

Last year, the anti-graft authority arrested former Lahore Development Authority (LDA) director general Ahad Khan Cheema and others over allegations of corruption in the Ashiana Iqbal Housing Society scam.