—LHC directs NAB not to arrest the PML-N leader until Oct 24
LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday approved Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Saad Rafique and his brother Salman Rafique’s request for protective bail.
The LHC has issued a notice to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), and requested a reply with details of cases against the PML-N leader and his brother. The high court has also asked NAB not to make an arrest until October 24.
Earlier last week, former railways minister Khawaja Saad Rafique and his brother approached the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to provide a protective bail which the court rejected and advised the petitioners to approach the LHC. Rafique has appeared before NAB a number of times in this regard.
A two-member bench of LHC presided by Justice Ali Baqir Najafi was hearing the petition filed by Rafique and his brother. The two brothers appeared before the LHC for the hearing.
The petitioners stated that NAB is harassing them and wants to arrest them. The two brothers further said that they had provided all records regarding the allegations levelled against them.
In his petition, Rafique said that on March 28 this year, he submitted documents to a notice issued to him over the matter within a week. He further outlined in his plea that he provided additional documents on April 5 as well.
“The bureau has made it a habit to arrest politicians after summoning them for inquiries”, the petition stated, adding that there is no allegation against the two brothers that merits arrest.
Moreover, the petition stated that the two brothers are fully cooperating with NAB, however, they suspect that they may be arrested on October 16 — when the anti-graft body has summoned them.
The petitioners requested the court to allow them their basic right to present their case.
The former minister denied he was a director or shareholder in the Paragon Housing Society scheme.