Court issues warrants for absconding accused in Paragon case

LAHORE: An accountability court in Lahore on Monday issued non-bailable warrants for the arrest of three absconding accused in the Paragon Housing Society reference.

Accountability Judge Jawadul Hassan, who took up the case, directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to arrest and produce the absconders in the court by June 13.

The court also issued notices to former railways minister Khawaja Saad Rafique, his brother Khawaja Salman Rafique and the investigation officer in the reference. It adjourned the hearing until June 13.

Last week, the NAB had filed a reference in the accountability court against the Khawaja brothers and other accused in the Paragon Housing Society scandal.

The Khawaja brothers, Nadeem Zia, Umar Zia, and Farhan Ali were named accused in the reference comprising of 17 volumes. The two accused, the former railways minister and his brother, are in jail on judicial remand while the rest are on the run.

According to the reference, the Khawaja brothers and Nadeem Zia owned 93.2 per cent shares in the Paragon Housing Society.

It states that the former railway minister received monetary benefits to the tune of Rs58 million from the society whereas his brother Rs39 million.

A total of 122 people recorded their statements against the Khawaja brothers, it added.