Bail petitions of Khawaja brothers rejected: LHC

Author: Web Desk

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday rejected bail pleas filed by former minister for Railways, Khawaja Saad Rafique and his brother Khawaja Salman Rafique, in Paragon Housing scam case, a private source reported.

The two were arrested on December 11. A reference has been filed against them now.

The NAB lawyer, on the other hand, argued that Khawaja brothers are the beneficial owners of the Paragon Housing Scheme. The transactions carried under the scheme’s name were eventually transferred to the accounts of the two brothers.

Meanwhile, an accountability court has extended judicial remand of former railways minister Khawaja Saad Rafique and his brother former provincial minister Khawaja Salman Rafique in Paragon City scam, till June 27.

Earlier in the day, at the outset of the hearing, Khawaja brothers’ counsel had informed the court that his clients have nothing to do with Paragon Housing scam and added Qaiser Ameen Butt’s statement was recorded twice before the magistrate.

“NAB first rejected Qaiser’s statement and later recorded his statement of its choice”, Khawaja brothers’ counsel alleged.

“How are prize bonds related to [the inquiry]?” Justice Najafi asked. The NAB lawyer explained that the Khawaja brothers had won Rs49 million through prize bonds, therefore, it could not be proven that they owned assets beyond known means.

While Saad is under NAB custody in Pakistan, Salman is currently abroad.