LAHORE: An accountability court on Saturday granted a seven-day extension in the physical remand of former railways minister Saad Rafique and his brother Salman Rafique.
The Rafique brothers are currently in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB)’s custody for their alleged involvement in the Paragon Housing case.
The duo was arrested by NAB on December 11, after the Lahore High Court rejected their request for an extension in their pre-arrest bail.
NAB has alleged that Saad Rafique, in connivance with his wife Ghazala Butt, brother Salman Rafique, Qaiser Amin Butt and Nadeem Zia, started a housing project named ‘Air Avenue’, which was later renamed ‘Paragon City Limited’.
NAB alleges that the housing scheme was set up illegally and the Rafique brothers, in connivance with Nadeem Zia and Qaiser Amin Butt, defrauded a large number of buyers. They are also accused of embezzling the housing project’s funds for personal gains.
Last week, the court approved a seven-day extension in the physical remand of the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leader and his brother. The brothers – both PML-N leaders– were presented in court amid heightened security. Heavy contingents of police, including the Anti-Riot Force (ARF), were also deployed for the hearing.
Presenting the plea for remand extension, the NAB prosecutor said the anti-graft body needed physical custody of the accused to conduct further investigation in the case.
The defence counsel opposed the plea but the accountability court judge, after hearing both sides and reserving the decision for some time, granted an extension in the remand period till January 26.
