Senior PML-N leader and former foreign minister Khawaja Asif on Friday declined to appear before the NAB Lahore, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has summoned Khawaja Asif to appear before it at its Lahore office for questioning in connection with Sialkot Kent View Housing Society.

Khawaja Asif’s counsel informed the NAB that the PML-N leader could not appear before it due to the National Assembly session.

Upon this, the NAB has summoned the former foreign minister again on July 3.

The NAB had launched an inquiry against developers including Khawaja Asif of Sailkot’s Kent View Housing Society. “Evidence collected so far prima facie reveals that you established a housing project, namely Kent View Housing Society Sialkot, which has been operating illegally,” said NAB’s summons.

The Bureau notice asked Khawaja Asif to provide the sources and total amount of funds invested in the project by him and his family members, wife and son, and other partners or close relatives.

It alleged that he illegally sold plots in excess of the approved layout plan of 137 kanals in collusion with the management of the society. It claimed that the PML-N leader in connivance with revenue authorities obtained relevant approvals despite the fact that society was in illegal occupation of state land.

“You in collusion with management of the society illegally occupied various pieces of land owned by individuals who never sold their land to the society,” the NAB notice read. It asked him to come along with “relevant record/information” on the day of interrogation.

Khawaja Asif is among the main leaders of the former ruling party – including PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif, Hamza Shehbaz, Rana Sanaullah, Javed Latif and Saad Rafique – who are facing NAB inquiries, investigations and references.

For the last few months, the NAB has been accusing the PML-N leaders of non-cooperation.

On June 2, Shehbaz Sharif skipped a NAB hearing in connection with its probe into two graft cases, citing health concerns – a move that was followed by high drama with a NAB team raiding the opposition leader’s residence at Lahore’s Model Town.

A day later, the Lahore High Court (LHC) granted anticipatory bail to Shehbaz Sharif and stopped the NAB from arresting him till June 17. Shehbaz Sharif later appeared before a NAB team but later claimed that he has been tested positive for coronavirus.