Imran condemns sealing of Centaurus mall by PDM 'mafia'
Imran Khan, chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), gestures while addressing his supporters during a campaign meeting ahead of general elections in Karachi, Pakistan, July 4, 2018. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro/File Photo
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairperson Imran Khan on Tuesday condemned the incumbent government’s move to seal Centaurus mall owned by the Azad Jammu and Kashmir premier, who ‘censured’ Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for not highlighting the sacrifices of Kashmiris in a speech.
According to the former premier, the “mafia” Pakistan Democratic Movement’s (PDM) actions suggested that there was a “law of the jungle in Pakistan since [the] last eight months” after the PTI’s removal through a no-confidence motion.
Imran furthered that the action sent “negative signals to Kashmiris too”. Posing a question for the country's judges, he asked if they were indeed the “upholders of the law”.
PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry also took to his Twitter handle to comment on the event.
Fawad claimed that Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir Sardar Tanveer Ilyas stood on his seat during PM Shehbaz’s speech and recorded a protest against Pakistan's weak stance on Kashmir.
“After this event, first his [AJK premier’s] car was stopped in Mangala, and today his business Centaurs Mall in Islamabad has been sealed,” he stated.
Fawad claimed that “such a fascist and undemocratic government had never been seen in the history of Pakistan” and questioned what message was being sent to occupied Kashmir if such actions were taken after the AJK PM protested.
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He also asked what message was being given to the investors and said that the slowing economy would further deteriorate due to such moves.
He called for democracy to be "restored" in the country.
Centaurus sealed
The Centaurus mall in Islamabad was sealed by the building control department of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) after six notices were issued to the management.
Despite the notices, the alleged non-conforming use of the building continued in violation of CDA regulations.
The first notice was issued to Centaurus Mall management on March 7, 2014, the second on October 25, 2019, then on December 28, 2020, then again on March 31, 2021. The penultimate notice was sent on October 11, 2021, and the sixth and final notice issued on November 23, 2022.
Despite repeated notices, Centaurus Mall management did not comply, and the building was sealed.