LHC bars NAB from arresting Saad and Salman Rafique once again

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Thursday extended the interim bail of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Saad Rafique and his brother Salman Rafique and directed the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to not arrest them.

A two-judge bench heard Saad and Salman’s pre-arrest bail petition.

As the hearing went under way, the bench asked the brothers, “Did you submit a petition for the DG NAB to be changed?”

At this, the NAB prosecutor informed the court, “NAB chairman has heard both the petitioners and a decision will be taken in this regard within the next one to two days.” The bench asked the NAB prosecutor to make their arrest warrants a part of the record. “Even during the last hearing you did not make it part of the court record,” the judge said.

The court then extended Saad and Salman’s bail till December 11 and ordered NAB to not arrest the two till the next hearing.

NAB officials say there are three inquiries ongoing against Saad Rafique pertaining to the Ashiana Iqbal Housing Scheme, Paragon Housing scam and corruption in Pakistan Railways.