Khawaja Asif handed over to NAB till Jan 13 on physical remand 

An accountability court in Lahore granted physical remand of PML-N senior leader Khawaja Asif till January 13 in another assets beyond means case against the opposition leader, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Thursday.

The move came as the NAB presented Khawaja Asif before the court and requested for a 15-day physical remand.

Meanwhile, the court directed the NAB that the accused should be allowed to meet his counsel and family members with food being provided from his home. 

On Tuesday evening, a NAB team had arrested Khawaja Asif from the Islamabad residence of Ahsan Iqbal where the party leaders had gathered to discuss the future line of action in connection with the PDM.

Later on Wednesday, an accountability court had granted one-day transit remand, directing the NAB to present him before the relevant court in 24 hours, after which he was shifted to Lahore.

He had told media persons outside the court in Islamabad that some people had been trying their best to fracture the party for the last two-and-a-half year. Attempts were being made to weaken Nawaz Sharif; however, he and his narrative was still strong, he added.

When asked who had told him that cases would come to an end as soon as he ditched Nawaz Sharif, the seasoned politician replied that every one of them was being asked to do so ever since the party supremo was disqualified two-and-a-half year ago.

Khawaja Asif’s remarks came after PML-N Vice-President Maryam Nawaz, soon after his arrest, said the senior party leader told her some days back that someone had asked him to leave Nawaz Sharif and offered binning all the cases.

Late on Wednesday night, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman and Maryam held a presser in Islamabad after the PML-N vice-president along with other party leaders reached the residence of the seasoned politician for a meeting.

Fazl said the government was using the NAB against the opposition parties and they would not remain silent at the arrests.

Similarly, Maryam, referring to the arrest of Khawaja Asif, said the move was part of the government’s victimisation policy.