Saaf Paani scam: Court extends physical remand of Qamarul Islam, Waseem Ajmal

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LAHORE: An accountability court on Monday extended the physical remand of the accused in Saaf Paani Company corruption case, Engineer Qamarul Islam and Waseem Ajmal, till August 13.

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 and further remand was required for the purpose.

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 till August 13 and directed officials to produce the accused on expiry of the term.

Later on, Ajmal refuted to the media reports claiming that he had become an approver against former Punjab CM Shehbaz Sharif. NAB authorities have deliberately circulated such false reports, he added.

Press release issued by Waseem Ajmal

Qamarul Islam served as the chief executive officer of the Saaf Paani Company. He is accused of having awarded contracts for water treatment plants at a higher price.  His predecessor, Ajmal, is also an accused.

Saaf Paani Company is one of the 56 public limited companies, formed by the Punjab government soon after assuming power in 2013.  All these companies are now being probed by NAB.