Rawalpindi: (Staff Reporter) Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmad moved an application before the Lahore High Court’s (LHC) Rawalpindi bench against the sealing of the Lal Haveli by the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB). He 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 Khan, on behalf of the AML chief, submitted the plea and urged the court to hold an urgent hearing which was accepted.
According to the source, in the petition, Sheikh Rashid said Lal Haveli was his property and the ownership was registered in the Sub-Registrar Rawalpindi office through a sale deed. The petitioner requested the court to declare the ETPB s move illegal and restrain the board from forcibly evicting the residents of Lal Haveli.
As per details, speaking to reporters outside the Lal Haveli, the seasoned politician said discrimination had been shown because he was supporting PTI Chairman Imran Khan. He alleged that ETPB Deputy Administrator Asif Khan was a front man of Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah.
Earlier ETPB seals Sheikh Rashid’s residence Lal Haveli: The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) sealed the Lal Haveli in the wee hours of today. According to initial reports, the ETPB staff, along with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and police personnel, reached the residence of Sheikh Rashid and sealed it.
Furthermore officials sealed seven units of the Lal Haveli. ETPB Deputy Administrator Asif Khan led the operation and said Sheikh Rashid and his brother failed to provide any documents to establish ownership.
Meanwhile on the other hand, Sheikh Rashid said he had yet to receive any notice from the ETPB and 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.
