Minister for Railway Khawaja Saad Rafique. Photo: File

LAHORE: Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique issued a defamation notice of Rs5 billion to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry for levelling false allegations against him on Sunday.

In a tweet posted Sunday, Saad Rafique demanded an unconditional apology from Fawad over his statements against the railway minister regarding Paragon Housing Society.

During a news conference on February 22, Fawad had said that the whole country knew that Paragon Housing Society belongs to Rafique. The PTI leader had also alleged that the railways minister was a part of the land mafia, saying that he had deprived the common people of their property.

Rafique has demanded that Fawad either prove the allegations or publically apologise within 14 days. The railways minister has said he would initiate legal proceedings against the PTI leader if he fails to do as stated.

In the notice, the railway minister has also stated that the Constitution allows every person to protect their sanctity and that no one should level baseless allegations against anyone.

Housing scheme scams

The allegations against Rafique have come at a time when Punjab government officials are being apprehended for scams related to housing schemes.

Recently, the former director general of Lahore Development Authority, Ahad Cheema, was arrested for illegally awarding contract worth billions to companies reportedly on the basis of nepotism.

Friction between Punjab govt, NAB over Ahad Cheema's arrest

Civil officers adopt resolution against Cheema's arrest

Following Cheema?s arrest rift erupted between National Accountability Bureau and Punjab government officials, who demanded a suo motu notice be taken against the ex-director general LDA?s arrest.

According to PTI Chief Imran Khan, the Punjab government officials are petrified over Cheema?s arrest as they fear he will reveal names of bureaucrats, involved in corruption, to save himself.

However, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah earlier said that he would never support a corrupt officer and would take action against Cheema if solid evidence is brought forth against him.