LAHORE: An accountability court Monday extended physical remand of Engineer Qamarul Islam and Waseem Ajmal — accused in Punjabi Saaf Pani Company corruption case — for another 14 days.
Earlier, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) officials produced both the accused before Accountability Court Judge Syed Najamul Hassan on expiry of their remand. The NAB prosecutor submitted that investigations were in progress from the accused and further remand was required for the purpose. However, the defence counsel opposed the request saying that the accused were arrested on baseless allegations and no evidence was available against them.
However, the court after hearing arguments of the parties extended the physical remand for another 14 days and directed officials to produce the accused on expiry of the term. The court also permitted Qamar to get a new chequebook and issue cheques for election expenses while allowing an application for the purpose.
It is pertinent to mention here that Islam, the PML-N ticket holder from NA-59 Rawalpindi-III, is contesting against Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and has served as the chief executive officer of the Saaf Pani Company. He is accused of having awarded contracts for water treatment plants at a higher price. His predecessor Ajmal is also accused in the case.
Saaf Pani Company is one among 56 public limited companies, formed by the Punjab government soon after assuming power in the province in 2013. All these companies are now being probed by the NAB.