LAHORE : The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has decided to shut Lahore Development Authority corruption case inquiry against former LDA director general Ahad Cheema and others.

The decision was made by DG NAB Lahore while chairing a regional board meeting. The NAB has contacted the accountability court to shut the case.

According to NAB, the LDA Cty has ensured provision of plots to the affectees.

Cheema was arrested on February 21, 2018over charges of misusing his authority by awarding Ashiana Housing contract worth Rs14 billion to Lahore Casa Developers, that was ineligible for the contract.
According to anti-graft watchdog, Cheema possesses assets worth Rs 600 million and had failed to satisfy the accountability bureau regarding his sources of income.

Earlier this year, the Lahore High Court had granted bail to the former director-general of the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) Ahad Cheema in LDA City case.

A two-member bench of the high court headed by Justice Muhammad Tariq Abbasi heard the case.

Advocate Azam Nazir Tarar had argued before the bench that the petitioner had been behind the bars for the last 23 months and the NAB failed to file reference against him.

The prosecutor had also said that the NAB has no objection if the court grants Ahad Cheema bail.

LAHORE : An accountability court in Lahore on Monday indicted ex-PM Nawaz Sharif’s principal secretary Fawad Hassan Fawad and three members of his family in assets beyond means case.

Accountability Judge Muhammad Akmal read out charges to Fawad, Rubab Hassan, Waqar Hassan, and Anjum Hassan. They denied the charges and opted to contest them.

The court issued notices to prosecution witnesses to appear in personal capacity to record their testimonies. Fawad was the principal secretary of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

Earlier this year, the Lahore High Court (LHC) had granted bail to Fawad Hassan Fawad in the assets case against Rs10 million surety bond. His counsel Amjad Pervaiz in his arguments before a two-member bench of the high court headed by Justice Ali Baqar Najafi, had said that his client was arrested without any justification in the assets beyond means reference.

He said the NAB has failed to present any evidence in support of its charges against his client.

The counsel argued that the NAB had earlier claimed that Fawad Hassan Fawad is the owner of a plaza worth five billion rupees, “now it is claiming that the accused person’s family owns assets worth Rs. 1.08 billion”.

“The bureau is now alleging that the property in the name of his wife and brother are benami assets”, counsel said.

ISLAMABAD : An accountability court here on Monday resumed hearing an LNG case against former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and others.

Judge Azam Khan issued notices to five new accused named in a supplementary reference filed in the case to appear in court on next hearing on December 22. The PML-N leader was in attendance in court.

A National Accountability Bureau (NAB) prosecutor informed the judge that the supplementary reference has been filed against Ex-PM Abbasi and other accused, adding they can obtain a copy of the reference if they want for perusal.

According to the supplementary reference, the PML-N leader had been receiving funds from Trinity Company located in the UAE, said to be working with an India-based firm, Siddhart Private Limited.

A sum of $538,895 was transferred to Ex-PM Abbasi’s account in three installments from a Dubai bank, the reference revealed, adding that the UAE government provided the national graft buster with evidence in this regard as the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) also confirmed these transactions.

However, NAB added, the former prime minister, when confronted, was unable to give a satisfactory explanation as to these transactions. It disclosed that more than Rs637 million funds were transferred to the accounts of Abbasi and his son Abdullah.

Former prime minister Abbasi, Miftah Ismail, ex-PSO MD Imranul Haq and others are facing charges of corruption over awarding a LNG import contract allegedly at exorbitant rates in 2015, which caused a big loss to the national exchequer.

RAWALPINDI, = The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa has said sacrifices of the nation given during the September 1965 war shall never be forgotten and September 6, 1965 Day is the immortal chapter of our history.

In his address at the Main Ceremony held at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi on Sunday in connection with the Defense and Martyrs Day, the COAS said that today there is better environment of peace in Pakistan and the Country gives the message of peace and security to the World.

The COAS pointed out that Pakistan registered unparalleled successes in the war against terrorism which are an example for the whole World. He said that our soldiers stood like a rock wall in the years-long war against terrorists and foiled the nefarious designs of the enemy.

In addition, he emphatically stated that Pakistan’s armed forces have not and will not refrain from any sacrifice for the defense of the motherland. He said that the Country’s armed forces ensured the security of the motherland by rendering sacrifices both in the conventional war and the fight against terrorism.

Paying tributes to the martyrs and Ghazis, the Army Chief said that the entire nation is proud of their courage and resolve. He said that these sacrifices and courage and resolve of the entire nation is the guarantee of a bright future of Pakistan.

Earlier, the COAS laid the floral wreath at the Martyrs Monument. The bereaved families of the martyrs were specially invited to attend the Main Ceremony.

Meanwhile, a ceremony held at GHQ Rawalpindi  and General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) was the Chief Guest on the occasion. COAS conferred military awards to Army personnel for acts of gallantry during various operations.
Families of Shuhada / Ghazis, senior serving Military Officers / Soldiers also attended the ceremony. 40 officers were awarded SITARA-I-IMTIAZ (MILITARY), 24 officers / soldiers were awarded TAMGHA-E-BISALAT and a soldier was awarded UNITED NATIONS (UN) Medal. Medals of Shuhada were received by their family members.

DNA

Islamabad, 06 Sept – Pakistan Navy celebrated 55th anniversary of Defence Day of Pakistan with reverence and effervescent spirit. The day was observed to commemorate supreme sacrifices of our Armed Forces, Shuhada, Ghazis and national heroes who stood against the enemy with unparalleled display of unity and tenacity during 1965 Indo-Pak War.

In his message on the occasion, Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi paid homage to the Shuhada and Ghazis who remained undeterred by the size of the enemy and foiled its nefarious designs with grit, courage and honour. On this day, nation acknowledges sacrifices of its gallant and resilient soldiers, sailors and airmen who defended the ideological and geographical frontiers of their motherland. The Naval Chief reiterated that Pakistan Navy is fully capable and prepared to give a befitting response to any misadventure by the enemy across the entire spectrum of maritime threat. The Admiral urged that this day being a symbol of courage, resolve, sacrifice and national integrity demands a pledge to work selflessly and to adhere resolutely to the Quaid’s great principles by anchoring strong faith in Allah SWT.

The day dawned with special prayers offered in all naval mosques for preservation of integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan. Quran Khawani were held for interminable peace of Shuhada of the 1965 war. Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi laid floral wreath at Shuhada’s Monument at Naval Headquarters Islamabad, interacted with the families of Shuhada and offered Fateha. Wreath laying ceremonies and Fateha Khawani were also held at Shuhada’s memorials at Field Command Headquarters.

Flag hoisting ceremonies were held at all naval units and establishments wherein Commanding Officers of all units and establishments addressed special gatherings of officers and men and highlighted significance of the day. All ships and establishments were decorated and illuminated in accordance with naval traditions. Other activities of the day included various colorful sports activities and Defence Day Fishing Boats Rallies/ Races at Gwadar and Creeks area.