More arrests, raids to nab Kamran Kayani in Rs17 bn DHA land scam

Kamran is brother of ex-army chief Gen Ashfaq Kayani and said to have enjoyed backing of influential circles; Amjad Kayani sees plot to defame their family; court gives one day remand of Hammad Arshad for defrauding soldiers and martyrs’ families; names of concerned persons put on ECL, properties frozen

ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has expedited the investigations in a mega corruption scandal of Rs17 billion of Defence Housing Society, Lahore, and names of all concerned have been placed on the Exit Control List (ECL) and their properties have been frozen.

Also, an accountability court in Lahore on Friday handed over Hammad Arshad, owner of Globaco (Pvt) Ltd, to NAB on one day remand in the DHA City (Lahore) scam.

According to sources, NAB Lahore has exposed mega corruption scandal of Rs17 billion by Hammad Arshad and Kamran Kayani of Globaco and Elysium in DHA City project.

Raids are being conducted to arrest Kamran Kayani, brother of former Army chief Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. It is said that Kamran Kayani enjoyed support of influential circles.

Amjad Kayani, brother of Kamran Kayani, however said it is plot to defame their family. He said they are plaintiff in this case and Kamran Kayani is out of the country at present.

According to sources, gross embezzlement and criminal breach of trust to the families of martyred, soldiers and general public have been committed by Globaco, an offshoot of Eden Group, owned by Hammad Arshad and Kamran Kayani of Elysium Holding, and initial inquiry has revealed misappropriation of Rs17 billion. There is a possibility that the volume of misappropriated amount could be higher. The accused are also alleged to have links with political personalities.

The DHA City project was launched in 2009, primarily to accommodate and facilitate the families of martyrs, war wounded and soldiers of Pakistan Armed Forces by allotting them small size plots in recognition of their services and sacrifices for the motherland and also for providing better living standards to the middle-class families of the country in an affordable price.

But the insanely corrupt mafia did not deliver the plots to soldiers and families of martyrs and general public even after six years.

According to sources, the Globaco and Elysium by Hammad Arshad and Kamran Kayani offered their services to facilitate DHA Lahore to carry out this cause by acquiring land for this project.

Sources said the lead role in getting the project was played by Kamran Kayani due to his obvious closeness with the concerned quarters.

Upon formal complaint lodged by the DHA Lahore, NAB has initiated an inquiry to ascertain facts and as a consequence to this investigation the names of all concerned have been put on the ECL and properties owned by them have been frozen and some of the arrests has also been made.

Sources said the same group is also involved in a corruption scandal in DHA Islamabad, and is also under investigation.

APP adds from Lahore: An accountability court on Friday handed over Hammad Arshad owner of Globaco (Pvt) Ltd, to National Accountability Bureau (NAB) on one day remand in the DHA City (Lahore) scam.

Earlier the NAB officials produced the accused before Accountability Court Judge Abdul Sattar and requested the court to grant physical remand of the accused for investigation. However the court granted only one day remand of the accused and directed officials to produce the accused again today (Saturday).

Instead of having purchased the land agreed upon by the parties, Hammad purchased only 13,103 kanals and that too in scattered form. He issued allotment letters and collected money from the general public.

Later, Arshad transferred the money to his personal accounts and used it for his personal gains and invested in other business ventures NAB said.