Daily Times

LAHORE: National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Lahore office has on Wednesday summoned Fawad Hasan Fawad, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in the Ashiana Housing Scheme case.

According to sources, Fawad has been summoned as a witness and is expected to appear before NAB Lahore at 10 on Thursday morning.

The order issued on behalf of NAB Lahore’s Director General stated that the inquiry against PLDC and LDA officials among others ‘has revealed that you are in possession of information / evidence regarding award and cancellation of contract in respect of Ashiana-e-Iqbal Project launched by Punjab Land Development Company (PLDC)’.

In view of the reasons mentioned above, Fawad Hasan Fawad has been ‘called upon to appear before Combined Investigation Team (CIT)’ in order ‘to record statement’.

Also read: Shahbaz criticises NAB for summons based on ‘ill-intentions’

Talking to a press conference after his appearance before the committee, Shahbaz said that he could have issued a written statement to NAB, but appeared before the group since he is a law-abiding citizen, while also saying that “the summons by the body were based on ill intentions.”

CM Shahbaz also stated that during his meeting with the committee, he asked numerous questions regarding the case but the probing unit had no answer to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader’s queries.

He also said that he has a responsibility as the CM to ensure government functions properly, while he also asked the attendees whether saving money for the nation was a crime.

“As the chief minister, I am the in-charge of the province, the government functions due to performance. Is it a crime to save money for the nation?” said Shahbaz.

NAB had issued a notification on January 17 saying that an inquiry is being conducted against official of Development Company (PLDC), Lahore Casa Developers, Lahore Development Authority and others pertaining the housing scheme case.