RAWALPINDI – Awami Muslim League (AML) chairman “Sheikh Rashid” on Monday(January-30) moved an application before the Lahore High Court s Rawalpindi bench against the sealing of the Lal Haveli by the ETPB.
Mr Sheikh stated in the application that the matter of Lal Haveli was already in a court of law so its sealing was “politically motivated”.
Advocate Sardar Raziq, on behalf of the AML(Awami Muslim League) chairman Sheikh Rashid, submitted the plea & urged the court to hold an urgent hearing which was accepted.
In the petition, Mr Sheikh said Lal Haveli was his property & the ownership was registered in the Sub-Registrar Rawalpindi office through a sale deed. The petitioner requested the court to declare the Evacuee Trust Property Board s move illegal & restrain the board from forcibly evicting the residents of Lal Haveli.
Speaking to reporters outside the Lal Haveli, the seasoned politician said discrimination had been shown because he was supporting PTI Chief Imran Khan. He alleged that ETPB(Evacuee Trust Property Board) Deputy Administrator Asif Khan was a front man of Interior Minister Sanaullah.
— ETPB seals Sheikh Rashid s residence Lal Haveli —
Earlier, the ETPB sealed the Lal Haveli in the wee hours of Monday, Dunya News reported. According to initial reports, the ETPB(Evacuee Trust Property Board) staff, along with the FIA & police personnel, reached the residence of Sheikh Rashid Ahmed & sealed it.
Officials sealed 7 units of the Lal Haveli. ETPB(Evacuee Trust Property Board) Deputy Administrator Asif Khan led the operation & said Sheikh Rashid & his brother failed to provide any documents to establish ownership.
On the other hand, Sheikh Rashid said he had yet to receive any notice from the ETPB & that he would approach the high court in this regard. He said he wasn t present at the Lal Haveli at the time of sealing as he avoided being arrested. “I was in Islamabad in night hours.” The former minister alleged that the officials also sealed shops of locals. He said he would welcome any punishment if the government proved that Lal Haveli was not his property.
