Over a billion rupees’ state land retrieved from PML-N leader

The Lahore District Administration (LDA) has retrieved state land worth over a billion rupees from PML-N MPA Saiful Maluk Khokar and his family members. The act drew the ire of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz which condemned the operation and termed it “political victimization”.

The LDA, on Sunday, demolished a part of Khokhar Palace in Johar Town and constructions in its surroundings which included shops and boundary walls of houses belonging to Saif’s family members. The 38-kanal land retrieved in the operation was valued at Rs1.25 billion.

The LDA with the support of city police and district administration officials conducted the operation in which heavy machinery was used. Authorities demolished the rear entrance and a part of the boundary wall of the Khokhar Palace to retrieve the state land, which the Khokhar family had added to their residence.

Saif and his brother, MNA Afzal Khokhar, have close ties with PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif and Vice President Maryam Nawaz. They are also said to be major financers of the PML-N.

Sharif telephoned Afzal and Saif to condemn the operation. Sharif said that they had been punished for standing by him and for staying loyal to the party, adding that he was proud of the Khokhar brothers for their unwavering support for him and his family.

He said that Khokhar palace was like his own residence and the government could not hide its incompetence by such acts.

Maryam Nawaz also tweeted to express her anguish. “There is one law that legalised the illegal Bani Gala palace [PM Imran Khan’s residence] and the other law is for the opposition [leaders] through which their homes are not safe.”

She wrote that the Khokhar brothers were a big asset of the party. “They have faced injustices but did not give up their loyalty.”

Later, PML-N leaders Khawaja Saad Rafique and Khawaja Imran Nazir went to Khokhar Palace to express solidarity with Saif.