Ashiana-e-Iqbal scam: NAB summons Rafique on March 22

LAHORE: The National Accountability Bureau has summoned Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique on March 22 over alleged involvement in the Paragon City project in the Ashiana-e-Iqbal housing scheme.

The federal minister has been summoned on Thursday and will record his statement to a three-member investigation team. The anti-graft had also taken former director of the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Ahad Cheema to probe massive financial irregularities.

During the investigation, it was revealed that Ahad Cheema had reportedly purchased 32 acres land on low rates. However, Cheema made the payments just once, but the amount was transferred thrice from the Paragon City account.

NAB will investigates Rafique’s links with the Paragon City project. NAB has also summoned Punjab Health Minister Salman Rafiq to probe several scams in the health department.

Ahad Cheema is considered a close confidante of Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif. He was arrested on February 21 from his office on charges of financial irregularities in the Punjab Land Development Company (PLDC) and issuing a contract for Ashiana-e-Iqbal housing project.

Cheema, who is now chairman of Punjab Power Company, has been accused of misusing his authority with criminal intent to award a contract on the basis of nepotism, causing a loss of Rs 455 million to the national exchequer.