Ashiana Scam: Kh Saad, Kh Salman's names placed on ECL
In Novermber last year, the NAB had launched investigation into a mega land scam
LAHORE (Dunya News) – In yet another major development in Ashiana Housing Scandal, former minister for railways Khawaja Saad Rafique and his brother and ex-Punjab health minister Khawaja Salman Rafique’s names have been included in the Exit Control List (ECL).
The development comes hours after National Accountability Bureau (NAB) arrested Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) president and former Punjab CM Shehbaz Sharif after he appeared before an investigation team in Lahore.
The PML-N leaders have been asked to appear before the anti-graft watchdog on October 16, while the Bureau’s Lahore chapter also directed them to bring the money trail along with them.
The inclusion of Khawaja Saad Rafique and Khawaja Salman Rafique’s names in the ECL was confirmed by Punjab Information Minister Fayyazul Hassan Chauhan.
He said that Paragon City (Pvt) Limited, which is said to be owned by Railways Minister Saad Rafique, is the beneficiary of the Ashiana Housing Scheme.
The minister went on to say that ex-prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s prinicipal secretary Fawad Hassan Fawad has become approver.
It is pertinent here to mention that the anti-graft agency had summoned Khawaja brothers last Friday, however, they refrain from appearing before the investigation team due to by-elections.
In Novermber last year, the NAB had launched investigation into a mega land scam involving the railways minister Khawaja Saad Rafique’s Paragon Housing Society in Lahore and the Punjab Land Development Company (PLDC).
The Bureau had decided to initiate probe into the matters of the minister’s housing society after receiving a number of complaints regarding ‘illegal deal’ involving 3,000 kanal government land between the PLDC and the said companies.
