Ashiyana scam: Prime suspect Ahad Cheema suspended from office

E-Paper | October 01, 2026

Ashiyana scam: Prime suspect Ahad Cheema suspended from office

Arif Malik Published March 17, 2018

The Punjab government on Saturday suspended Ahad Cheema, the prime suspect in the Ashiyana-i-Iqbal Housing Society scam, from his official position for three months.

According to a notification, a copy of which is available with DawnNewsTV, Cheema has been suspended for three months with effect from Feb 21, when he was arrested by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Before his arrest, the former head of the Lahore Development Authority was serving the provincial government as head of two thermal companies.

Cheema was arrested after discrepancies and alleged corruption worth billions were detected in a deal between the Punjab Land Development Company (PLDC) and Bismillah Engineering Services.

According to NAB, the former LDA chief allegedly misused his authority and with criminal intent prepared, processed, recommended and got approved a fraudulent and illegal request by awarding contract of the Rs14 billion Ashiyana-i-Iqbal Housing Society project.

The prosecution alleges that Cheema had awarded the contract for the Ashiyana scheme to Bismillah Engineering Services in return for 32 kanals of land. According to the prosecution, the land was transferred to various members of Cheema's family, including his cousin and his sister.

Pakistan

Ashiyana scheme: Court extends Ahad Cheema, Shahid Shafiq's physical remand by 15 days

Cheema’s arrest draws ire of Punjab’s power centre

Ashiyana-i-Iqbal housing scam: NAB arrests LDA ex-chief Ahad Cheema

Skyhawk

Mar 17, 2018 02:58pm

Just suspending cheema from his job is not enough. He is directly involved in corruption worth billions and should be awarded an exemplary punishment.

Recommend 0

Nawaz

Mar 17, 2018 03:07pm

There must be a prima facie evidence against him which led to his suspension. Some PAS / DMG officers regard themselves as untouchable. PAS group is as much responsible for woes of the country as the politicians. All they are interested in are perks and privileges, protocols, fleet of cars and coveted postings secured through close contacts with politicians. Those who are honest and really want to serve the country are cornored.

Recommend 0

Anti-Corruption_Pakistani

Mar 17, 2018 03:17pm

Ahad Chimma has been the partner of corrupt practices, and is the main witness and front man acted on behalf of Shabaz Sharif and his cronies. So, he must not be treated lightly, conduct thorough investigation and establish facts and evidence, and if proved AC's and SS's involvement then take stingent actions against them and all culprits. Do not let them get away, send them in jail for a long time for their crimes!

Recommend 0

Atta

Mar 17, 2018 03:28pm

Good new. Now it is about time Nawaz joins him behind bars.

Recommend 0

ABE

Mar 17, 2018 03:42pm

Q: Is there even one single honest, hard-working and truthful person in this government? A: Just look at PML-N leadership. Do we expect the underlings not to follow in the footsteps of their leaders?

Recommend 0

Ahsan Gul

Mar 17, 2018 03:45pm

Since his fraudulent activity has impact on government and public he must get jail terms for this unlawful crime.

Recommend 0

Shahid

Mar 17, 2018 03:46pm

Only for 3 months? Or are they watching and waiting for the outcome of the probe and details emerging through him/it?

Recommend 0

Fajar Khan

Mar 17, 2018 03:48pm

He should be made an example for others if found guilty

Recommend 0

Imran Khan a Vulture

Mar 17, 2018 04:04pm

@Atta along with IK and his corrupt followers

Recommend 0

Maqsood

Mar 17, 2018 04:11pm

Excellent

Recommend 0

Abbas

Mar 17, 2018 04:44pm

Real actions are highly desired to protect the country and its illing economy. Pakistan is still bright

Recommend 0

Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Mar 17, 2018 05:16pm

When you are involved in dubious activities like this, you must be always ready to face the consequences.

Recommend 0

koshe

Mar 17, 2018 06:52pm

He is being maligned for other reasons.He was one of the best officer the coubtry has offered.Have a look at his CV.He built metro lahore in record time..He is a project management expert.Look at peshawar BRT woeful condition & you shall understand the brilliance of this man.He is a victim of political wrangling

Recommend 0

AKB

Mar 17, 2018 07:54pm

Billions and billions of national money has been taken abroad which necessitates steps to bring it back to the country. All available means needs to utilised so that the corrupts find no way but to return the money.

Recommend 0

javed qamer Washington DC

Mar 17, 2018 09:19pm

So it means that you can do corruption worth billiions of rupees and you will get suspended from job. What a travesty of justice.

Recommend 0

My Advice

Mar 17, 2018 09:24pm

I hope he is innocent. If not, what did he do, was it legal, if not, did he made any money, how much money he made?

Recommend 0

Rana TUNGA

Mar 17, 2018 09:30pm

The Supreme Court should also arrest the family members on whom the land has been transferred so that nobody in future dare to promote such crimes

Recommend 0

Manzer

Mar 17, 2018 10:51pm

They talk about billions of rupees of corruption, but the whole award was just for Rs 14 billion. How can anyone do billions of rupees of corruption in such a small contract? This kind of selective NAB action does not bode well for Pakistan. If there is any proof it should be presented in courts, what was the point of physical remand?

Recommend 0

baba

Mar 18, 2018 12:52am

he looks innocent in this picture.

Recommend 0

Tahir

Mar 18, 2018 03:05am

His personal wealth is beyond explainable

Recommend 0

Wapda Town Lahore

Mar 18, 2018 01:05pm

He should be probed in Commercialisation of Wapda Town Housing society lahore as he might be involved in getting millions of rupees with the help of chairman & company for issuing commercial licenses to residential plots/houses. It’s against the bylaws of Wapda town society lahore.

Recommend 0

Branded Content

28 years of McDonald’s Pakistan: celebrating the local partners behind the Golden Arches

The milestone highlighted the structural evolution of the company's local procurement model.

Etihad Town Sialkot delivers Possession ahead of time

The project was delivered within just 1.5 years against a 3-year payment plan, while commercial possession had already been handed over to customers in January 2026.