News Analysis |
In a major development in Paragon society case, documented evidence has surfaced which allegedly proves the relation of Paragon City Society with Railways’ Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique.
According to these documents, Khawaja Saad and his brother Khawaja Salman Rafique allegedly acquired 50 Kanal of land in the Paragon city. It has emerged that they exchanged the land with Paragon city. The documents show that they gave their land to Paragon City and bought land in Paragon City.
The exchange documents show the equal exchange which is in contradiction with the existing laws. According to law, if 50 Kanall and is given to the society, it could receive only 30% of the land in exchange, but Khawaja brothers illegally received the land on equal terms.
Some reports which surfaced in wake of NAB activism allege that Saad Rafique apparently used ex-MPA Qaiser Amin Butt, Nadeem and Ali Sajjad as front men to develop this society and amassed property of millions. Rafique denies these reports.
Khawaja Saad Rafique claims that Nadeem Zia, the owner of Paragon City Society, is his political supporter. However the two share a 35-year-long friendship. The documents shown on private channels confirm the business relations between the Paragon society’s chief executive Nadeem Zia and the Railway Minister. On March 10, he told the Supreme Court that he had no connection with the Paragon City and its developer.
Khawaja Saad appeared before a three-judge bench on the direction of Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar who summoned him to explain his position on alleged links with Paragon City and a twin tower project in Islamabad. Saad acknowledged that he helped the company in acquiring a small piece of land in 2010-12 and received a commission for rendering his services, which is mentioned in his tax statement.
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But, he did not say anything related to his dealings with the society in 2016, when he exchanged his land with Paragon society’s CEO, Nadeem Zia. On March 28, the Railway Minister appeared before the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in connection with Paragon housing society scam.
Khawaja remained at the NAB office in Lahore for two hours and answered questions of combined investigation team pertaining to his alleged involvement in Paragon society. He was earlier summoned on March 22, but, through his counsel, he requested for an appearance at the later date.
In a major development in Paragon society case, documented evidence has surfaced which allegedly proves the relation of Paragon City Society with Railways’ Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique.
The senior PML-N leader was given a deadline of one more week after he submitted an incomplete Performa in connection with Paragon Housing Society scam. When NAB initiated the probe into alleged wrongdoing and questioned the minister over this illegal exchange, Khawaja Saad was unable to provide a satisfactory answer.
These revelations have put Khawaja Saad in jeopardy because they are completely in contradiction with his initial stance on the matter. It has been confirmed that Khawaja Saad had a deeper association with the society on contrary to his statements in the apex court and media. Moreover, the land, where Saad Rafique is building his house is different from the land which he acquired in an exchange with Paragon society.
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Some reports which surfaced in wake of NAB activism allege that Saad Rafique apparently used ex-MPA Qaiser Amin Butt, Nadeem and Ali Sajjad as front men to develop this society and amassed property of millions. Rafique denies these reports.
A clear picture will emerge when NAB will be allowed to continue its investigations freely and without any pressure. Despite, the allegations of a witch-hunt against the incumbent Government, the anti-graft watchdog has opened up cases across the board, against the political parties, and military personnel over their alleged involvement in corruption cases. The anti-graft watchdog is sticking to its policy of accountability for all as the country’s prosperity lies in eliminating corruption.