NAB arrests former PML-N MPA in Paragon case

LAHORE: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has arrested former Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) MPA Qaiser Amin Butt in a case pertaining to the Paragon Housing Society scam. 

Sources within the Bureau said the former lawmaker has had 15-year long partnership with PML-N stalwart Khawaja Saad Rafique in the housing project.

Last month, Khawaja Saad Rafique appeared before a NAB team to answer its queries  over his alleged involvement in the Paragon Housing Society corruption scandal.

NAB had launched an investigation into the scandal after protests by dozens of victims against the housing society fraud.

Former Lahore Development Authority (LDA) director general Ahad Khan Cheema and others are in custody over the allegations of corruption in Ashiana Iqbal Housing Society scam.

Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif had also been questioned by the NAB in the scam. He has been accused of ordering cancellation of contract of Aashiana-e-Iqbal to a successful bidder, leading to award of the contract to other builder, which resulted into a loss of Rs 193 million approximately,” the notice reads.

He also directed PLDC to assign the project of Aashiana-e-Iqbal to LDA resulting into award of contracts to M/s Lahore Casa Developers (JV), thus causing loss of Rs 715 million approximately and ultimately failure of the project, according to the notice.

It says the chief minister had also directed PLDC to award consultancy services of Aashiana-e-Iqbal project for Rs 192 million approximately, but its actual cost was Rs 35 million.