The Rawalpindi bench of Lahore High Court on Monday ordered the authorities to de-seal Lal Haveli, the residence of Awami Muslim League (AML) chief and former federal minister Sheikh Rashid.
In its order, the learned court directed the provincial authorities to implement the orders on immediate basis.
Earlier today, Rashid claimed that his residence had been sealed by the government, and challenged the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) operation with the LHC bench.
According to the ex-minister, he wasn’t present at his residence at the time of the operation. Furthermore, he claimed that the government wanted to arrest him sometime at night.
He went on to say, “Hang me publicly if it is proved that I don’t own this property.”
In an operation conducted late on Sunday night, ETPB Deputy Commissioner Asif Khan reached Lal Haveli with a heavy contingent of police and FIA team and sealed the residence.
Read also: Lal Haveli: Court Rejects Plea Seeking Stay Order Against ETPB Expected Operation
A court had earlier rejected a plea seeking a stay order against the expected operation, as the conflict between the two sides became intense.
The verdict stated that the law related to public interest didn’t allow the court to interfere in the actions initiated by federal or provincial institutions.
Sheikh Rashid, in a plea, had maintained that a case regarding Lal Haveli and the adjacent land is being heard at the civil court. Therefore, initiating action and vacating the residence is illegal.
The plea stated that the appeal regarding Lal Haveli is also being heard by ETPB administrator. It further stated that the authority was likely to undertake an operation on Jan 30 to get the residence vacated.
The AML chief also took to Twitter to declare the sealing “fascism and political terrorism”, and said that his residence was sealed after those who targeted him were unable to find anything against him to implicate him in a crime.
He also highlighted that a hearing of the case was already due next month, suggesting that the move to seal the residence was uncalled for and unnecessary.
Rashid also claimed he received no prior notice before the aforesaid attempt to vacate the property.
ہمیں کوئی نوٹس نہیں ملا۔لال حویلی کوسیل کرنافاشزم اورسیاسی دہشت گردی ہےاگریہ ہماری ذاتی ملکیت نہیں توہم قومی مجرم ہیں16وزارتوں کی چھان بین سےکچھ نہ ملا تولال حویلی پرچڑھائی کردی جسکی پہلے ہی 15فروری عدالت میں تاریخ ہے۔ برطانوی کمپنی لال حویلی پرفلم بنانےجارہی ہےجوانکو برداشت نہیں
— Sheikh Rashid Ahmed (@ShkhRasheed) January 30, 2023
