An accountability court on Friday extended physical remand of former Director General (DG) Lahore Development Authority (LDA) AhadCheema and the chief executive officer (CEO) of Bismillah Engineering Shahid Shafiq by May 18 in Ashiana Housing Scheme scam. However, the court has sent other accused including Bilal Qadwai and Imtiaz Ahmed on judicial remand.
The NAB officials produced the said accused before the court amid tight security as heavy contingents of police officials had cordoned off the NAB court premises
NAB prosecutor told the court that Cheema made an investment worth Rs. 40 million in Punjab College Dera Ghazi Khan, while he also purchased residential property in Islamabad.
On the other end Cheema’s counsel argued that his client is NAB’s custody for over 80 days, but no evidence has been presented against him.
Previously, the NAB had informed the court that the Punjab government had already developed Ashiana Housing Scheme. However, changes were made in the scheme just to sponsor Paragon City. Moreover, the LDA awarded the contract in violation of given rules and regulations. The project’s worth was 14 billion but development work on ground is only worth of 15 million.
As per NAB, Ahad Cheema was arrested over the charges of misusing his authority and, with criminal intent, processing and awarding Ashiana-e-lqbal project contract worth Rs14 billion to Lahore CASA Developers, a joint venture a firm which was ineligible for the same. The contract, in connivance with other accused persons, was awarded in violation of PPP Act, 2014.
NAB inquiry further revealed that Bismillah Engineering Services Co (a major shareholder of JV titled Lahore CASA Developers) was a proxy firm working on behalf of Paragon City (Pvt) Ltd.
Cheema allegedly received illegal gratification in the form of 32 kanals of land (valuing Rs30.09 million approximately from the owners of Paragon City (Pvt) Ltd. –Staff Reporter
