Saad Rafique, Salman Rafique sent to jail on 14-days judicial remand

An accountability court on Saturday sent former railways minister, Khawaja Saad Rafique, and his brother Salman Rafique on a 14-day judicial remand to jail in the Paragon Housing scheme case.

The former minister and his brother were produced before the court by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) today (Saturday). Accountability judge Syed Najmul Hasan will hear the case.

Rejecting the NAB’s plea for further physical remand of the duo, the court instead granted 14-day judicial remand and sent them to jail.

Later, speaking to media, Saad Rafique said the NAB had no proof against him or his brother. “Whoever talks about the rights faces the same treatment that we are currently going through,” he moaned.

He said he was facing the treatment for adhering to the Constitution and the law.

The former minister claimed that prime minister was trying to influence the Public Accounts Committee.

Rafique and his brother have so far completed 53-day remand in the case. Khawaja brothers are currently being investigated by the accountability watchdog for alleged corruption in Paragon Housing Society case and accumulating wealth beyond known sources of income.

Rafique and his brother were arrested on Dec 11 after the Lahore High Court rejected their bail plea. During the hearing, the former minister’s counsel informed the court that his client had nothing to do with PAS and was being framed in the case.