LAHORE: The National
Accountability Bureau (NAB) on Friday filed its reference before an
accountability court in a 34-year-old land allotment case against Jang group
editor-in-chief Mir Shakilur Rehman, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and two
others.

The reference filed
under section 18 (g) read with section 24 (b) of the National Accountability
Ordinance 1999 accused Rehman of illegally obtaining exemption of 54 plots each
measuring one-kanal situated in Block-H, Johar Town.

Other two suspects
are Lahore Development Authority (LDA) former director general Humayon Faiz
Rasool and land development department’s former director Mian Bashir Ahmad.

The reference said
the land allotment had been in connivance with then chief minister Nawaz Sharif
against the exemption policy and the laws for monitory gains.

ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER AD

It said the suspects
caused a loss of Rs143.53 million to the national exchequer through allotment
of the land in violation of exemption policy.

It said the evidence
collected during the investigation proved that it is just and proper to proceed
against the suspects and they be tried by the court and punished under the law.

In this case, the
NAB had arrested Rehman while Mr Sharif had been declared absconded for his
continuous non-appearance before the investigation team. Mr Sharif is in London
for treatment following a permission given by courts.

The other two
suspects, the LDA officials, were not arrested by the NAB, but interrogated
only.

Mr Rehman is now in
jail on judicial remand while his bail petition is pending before the Lahore
High Court.

Newspaper: Dawn

Related link: The
News, Pakistan
Today, Nation