Khawaja Brothers are free now
March 19, 2020 04:49 PM
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders Khawaja Saad Rafique and his brother Salman Rafique have been set free after the Camp Jail Lahore authorities received the release orders on Thursday.
A large number of PML-N workers gathered outside the Camp Jail to welcome their leaders.
Later addressing a news conference, Khawaja Saad Rafique said he had spent 16 months in jail in a dark cell. “We will remain stand with the PML-N”, he vowed.
“The mandate of PM Khan is fake but PML-N would not disrupt the PTI government,” Saad said.
He demanded the abolition of NAB, saying it is initiating cases as political victimisation.
Earlier, the Supreme Court on Tuesday granted bail to Khawaja brothers in the Paragon Housing Scheme scandal. The apex court ordered the Khawaja brothers to submit Rs3 million each surety bonds against the bail awarded.
During the hearing, Justice Maqbool Baqir remarked that the NAB either didn’t have the capacity or the intention. He observed that what was illegal if money had been transferred to the Khawaja brothers’ accounts. He added that they are admitting the transfer of money.
Justice Baqir remarked that the NAB should prove if there was anything illegal.
It is pertinent to mention that previously PML-N leaders Ahsan Iqbal and Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had already got bails in the NAB references. Meanwhile, Rana Sanaullah is also on bail in a case filed by the ANF (Anti-Narcotics Force)
The NAB had filed a reference against the Khawaja brothers in the Paragon Housing Scheme scandal. The Khawaja brothers, Nadeem Zia, Umar Zia, and Farhan Ali were named as accused in the reference.
According to the NAB reference, the Khawaja brothers and Nadeem Zia owned 93.2 per cent shares in the Paragon Housing Society. It stated that the former railways minister received monetary benefits of Rs58 million from the society whereas his brother Rs39 million.