LAHORE: Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique has requested the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Lahore to postpone his interview in a housing scam.
The request came as Saad and his younger brother Punjab Minister for Specialised Health Khawaja Salman Rafique didn’t turn up before a NAB team.
The NAB had summoned Saad and Salman Thursday (March 22) and Monday (March 26) respectively but the latter was also asked to appear before the investigators on the same day, Thursday. According to a NAB official, a lawyer appeared before the investigators and sought some time on their behalf so they could respond to the allegations. Another notice could be issued to both the PML-N leaders very soon, he added.
It may be relevant to mention that NAB had summoned both the brothers to question them about their role, if there is any, in Paragon Housing Society which is currently under investigation in connection with Aashiana Housing Society scam.
Talking to Geo News, Saad said he received the NAB summons on Wednesday. “I am currently in Islamabad and busy with official work. I have to meet the Chinese ambassador as well,” he said, adding that he had sent a letter to the NAB asking to set another date for questioning. “I am willing to cooperate with NAB and provide them all the details. I will submit a reply to all the questions asked by the Bureau,” he said.
The federal minister reiterated his earlier claims and said accountability is being used as a pretext to target people. “The accountability process has never been transparent in Pakistan. People continue to be targeted under the name of accountability.” He described the NAB law as ‘black law’, but added he would still before NAB.
