Noble lineage: Fight for inherited F-11 plot reaches the National Assembly

Two parties claiming to be descendents of Sakhi Muzammil Shah claim ownership of land.

ISLAMABAD: Two groups are making hectic efforts to take possession of a piece of land on the basis of their ‘noble lineage’. Both groups want to construct a shrine and graveyard in the 363-kanal land of sector F-11/1, one of the posh areas of the city. On the other hand, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has plans of its own.

This was discussed on Saturday during a meeting of National Assembly Standing Committee on Cabinet Division, headed by MNA Abdul Ghani Talpur.

The two parties, one led by Syed Assed Ali Shah and the other one by Syed Muzammil Shah, are in a tug-of-war to win over the precious land. These leaders along with representatives of their parties, CDA chairperson and other officials were in attendance at the Parliament House to discuss the matter.

The committee chairperson contended that the issue between the two groups claiming to be the real heirs of the saint Sakhi Muzammil Shah be settled in court rather than by the committee. “It could have serious repercussions on the law and order situation,” said the MNA.

Similarly, CDA Chairperson Imtiaz Inayat Elahi agreed that since there was no single claimant of the land, handing it over would become an issue.

Both sides leveled allegations against each other for using the land for commercial purposes. “I requested a DNA test to ascertain as to who is the real inheritor,” said a person from the Syed Assad Ali Shah group. “The other side has made a bogus document claiming to be the heir of the saint.” The group also alleged that Syed Muzammil was using the property for commercial purposes and had “even rented out the premises of the mosque for Rs11,000 per month.”

Assad’s group claimed that they had the family lineage since 1935 with a complete record of history and added that a High Court had already given a verdict in their favour.

The other party claimed that Muzammil was the real heir of the saint and even registered an organisation which was looking after the shrine.

The meeting did not turn out to be fruitful due to several complications. The issue was recommended to be referred to the law division for legal opinion. The committee also directed to call the representatives of law ministry and district administration in the next meeting to thoroughly evaluate the matter.

Meanwhile, MNA Pervez Khan accused CDA of playing a double game. “They are not helping in resolving the issue, which could worsen the situation,” he said.

Another official said that one of the committee members played a pivotal role in bringing the matter to the NA. “They have their vested interests in this case and support the handing over of the land to Syed Muzammil group.”

CDA has already sold out 12 plots from the land and the ‘claimants’ insist that it can be retrieved from the occupants.

As per CDA record, the total land was awarded back to the authority on February 22 in 1969.

The civic authority has already sold out 12 plots from the land and the claimants insist that it be retrieved from the occupants. The compensation amount of land measuring 343 kanals and 10 marlas came out to be Rs23,63.21 back in 1969.

The parties have not received this compensation amount. The claimants, however, want the land instead of the monetary equivalent.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16^th, 2011.