NAB officer claims Ahad Cheema involved in fraud

LAHORE: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Tuesday said that former director general of Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Ahad Cheema was involved in fraud and misuse of authority.

The bureaucrat along with the owner of a private company, Shahid Shafiq, appeared before the court where a NAB official stated that Shafiq managed to attain construction contracts on the basis of fake documents.

An accountability court is hearing a petition for extension of judicial remand of Ahad Khan Cheema, Shahid Shafiq, Imtiaz Haider and Bilal Qadwai.

Justice Syed Najamul Hasan is conducting the hearing for the petition filed by the prosecution.

During the hearing, the investigation officer revealed that that the LDA did not consult an expert to evaluate and ascertain the impact of alterations terms and conditions for Paragon City.

The investigation officer revealed that the Punjab government had already developed Ashiyana Housing Scheme, whereas changes in the Ashiyana Iqbal scheme were made to sponsor Paragon City. He added that LDA awarded the contract in violation of given rules and regulations. “The project is worth Rs14 billion while the developing it is only worth Rs15 million.”

The court questioned Shahid Shafiq if he was suffering from any illness but on seeing no response, the investigation officer told the court that Shafiq did not cooperate owing to depression and tension.

“His medical reports have been produced before the court,” the investigation officer said, adding the suspect has frequently retracted from his statements. He also said that Ali Sajjad Bhatta has also been included in the investigation who is the chief financial officer (CFO) of Paragon City.

Cheema was handed over to NAB on a 14-day physical remand along with three other accused in the Aashiyana-i-Iqbal Housing Scam on April 4.