Jahangir Siddiqui case: Politically-motivated harassment alleged

The charges are an attempt to intimidate the businessman, says statement.

Allegations of illegal land occupation against Jahangir Siddiqui and his family are politically motivated and aim to intimidate and coerce Siddiqui to accept illegitimate demands of various politically connected persons, said a press release from the office of Jahangir Siddiqui.

The release aimed to clarify recently published news item regarding recovery of land from Siddiqui’s family, quoting claims from Ghanwar Leghari, director anti-corruption department, Sindh and Mustafa Jamal Qazi, additional executive district officer (AEDO) revenue, city district government Karachi (CDGK).

The land has neither been ‘illegally occupied’ nor wrested from the custody of Siddiqui or his family by any department, the release stated.

Divulging further, the release adds that the plot of land bearing no D-177, block 5, scheme 5, Clifton, Karachi was purchased at market rate in the name of Mahvash Jahangir Siddiqui, wife of Mr Siddiqui, after publication of prominent notices in major papers, vide transfer letter in 1997. Subsequently, the plot was transferred to their son, Ali Siddiqui, by way of a gift deed in 1998 and the lease was executed in his name in 2001. The property currently is in lawful possession of Ali Siddiqui, said the release.

The release further adds that a complaint was lodged by Syed Ejaz Ali Naveed, alleging he is the rightful occupant of the plot. An inquiry conducted by member (A&L), defunct Karachi development authority (KDA) in 2001 found documents presented by Mahvash Jahangir genuine and those submitted by Naveed bogus. The then director general KDA issued an order to register a criminal case for forgery to the police against Naveed but the matter was not pursued any further.

Later, Naveed approached army monitoring cell V corps (AMC) in 2002, and both Ali Siddiqui and Naveed were asked to appear before the district officer (land) CDGK to re-examine the matter and substantiate their claims on the land. At the hearing, among other officials, Mustafa Qazi, the current AEDO revenue, was present as a representative of the AMC.

The inquiry reconfirmed the earlier findings, declaring Ali Siddiqui’s title documents to the property as genuine, said the release. Copies of the inquiry were forwarded to all relevant authorities.

The release claims there are no other properties in the Siddiquis’ possession that is subject to any dispute and therefore the allegations appearing in the paper are false. Legal action is being initiated against persons responsible for this defamation, the release concludes.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 11^th, 2010.