LAHORE:The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Friday grilled PML-N senior leader Khwaja Asif in a probe against him for “illegally” establishing a housing project in his hometown Sialkot.

Upon his appearance before a combined investigation team of NAB Lahore, he was quizzed for 90 minutes regarding the affairs of Kent View Housing Society, Sialkot which had been operating illegally. The bureau asked him about the sources and local amount of funds invested in the project.

A good number of PML-N workers gathered outside the NAB office at Thokar Niaz Beg and showered rose petals on his car.

According to NAB, Mr Asif, in collusion with the management of the society, illegally sold plots in excess of the approved layout plan of 137 kanal. “Khwaja Asif in connivance with the revenue authorities obtained relevant approvals despite the fact that the housing society in question was in illegal occupation of the state land.”

The NAB further observed that the former foreign minister had in collusion with the management of the society illegally occupied various pieces of land owned by individuals who never sold their land to the society.

The NAB re-summoned him for July 17.

REFERENCE: The NAB Lahore has filed 23 references in the accountability court this year.

The NAB regional board meeting reviewed its six months performance. It was presided over by NAB Lahore Director General Shahzad Saleem.

NAB Lahore’s prosecution wing filed 23 references during the last six months into different scams including land scam involving former premier Nawaz Sharif and editor-in-chief Jang group Mir Shakilur Rehman, Gujranwal Motors and Model Housing Enclave.

During the period under review, NAB Lahore received 2,181 complaints. Some 71 Complaint Verifications (CVs) were authorised by the competent authorities and 79 CVs had been completed till June 30, 2020.

Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2020