LHC Pindi bench disposes of case related to Lal Haveli

Lahore High Court (LHC) Pindi bench Monday disposed of the application of Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid related to Lal Haveli, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

LHC Justice Mirza Waqas Rauf heard the case that was filed by Sheikh Rashid against the complete “sealing" of his Lal Haveli residence.

ETPB Rawalpindi Administrator told the learned court that Lal Haveli was not sealed, but the adjoining property was sealed. “The ETPB sealed seven units including two units of Lal Haveli and five adjoining units.”

The court rejected Shaikh Rashid’s request to de-seal the seven-sealed units in Lal Haveli. However, the court reprimanded the ETPB officer for not presenting a clear stand and directed to settle the matter within fifteen days.

The famous Lal Haveli, an old building at Bohar Bazaar, is the political office of the AML leader — who insisted he did not get any notice from the ETPB.

According to ETPB Deputy Commissioner Asif Khan, two units of the Lal Haveli and five adjoining units were sealed after teams of the board along with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrived at the spot early Monday morning.

Khan said Rashid’s ownership of these Lal Haveli units had been cancelled over illegal occupation of land.  Several notices had also been issued to Rashid and his brother in this regard, he added.

Meanwhile, the former minister has claimed that Lal Haveli was his “personal property” and a “central secretariat for public service”.

The ex-minister tweeted that he did not receive a notice prior to the action, adding sealing Lal Haveli was an act of fascism and terrorism.