LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) Thursday accepted the National Accountability Bureau’s petition seeking extension in time to submit its reply pertaining to the arrest of Fawad Hassan Fawad in Ashiana-e-Iqbal Housing scandal.

A two-member LHC bench presided over by Justice Ali Baqir Najfi conducted proceedings on an application submitted by Fawad Hassan Fawad, pricipal secretary to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.

The petitioner maintained that he had no links to the housing scandal and the anti-graft watchdog arrested him without solid evidence. His arrest warrants were issued under NAB Ordinance 1999.

Fawad Hassan Fawad claimed he was not provided medical treatment in prison and prayed to the court to accept his petition and pass orders for his release.

The NAB prosecutor sought time from the court for reply to which the bench accepted the request and adjourned the hearing of the case till October 24.

Fawad Hassan Fawad was arrested on July 5 over several corruption charges including contract of Ashiana-e-Iqbal Housing Scheme, illegal orders for shifting of nine CNG stations and working in a private bank from 2005-2006 without official permission.

Fawad told the court that he did not order to cancel any contract and that his job was just to follow the directions given by former prime minister and PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif.

He said that he was not in contact with the Punjab government and Punjab Land Development Company (PLDC) since 2013, adding that NAB charges against him lacked evidence.

“If court wants to hold me accountable after the statements of accused then it is up to you. I presented the report pertaining to cancellation of contract before the chief minister,” he said.