ETPB gets final chance in Lal Haveli case

Sheikh Sidique had challenged the sealing of AML chief Sheikh Rashid's Lal Haveli by the ETPB

RAWALPINDI:

The Lahore High Court’s (LHC) Rawalpindi Bench Wednesday adjourned the hearing of the case pertaining to the de-sealing and annulment of the decision of cancellation of Lal Haveli's registries till October 30.

According to details, LHC Justice Mirza Waqas Rauf while hearing the petition, filed by the elder brother of former interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, expressed annoyance over the non-appearance of Advocate Hafiz Ahsan, the legal adviser of Punjab Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB).

Justice Rauf remarked: “The court would announce the verdict if the ETPB counsel did not appear on the next hearing of the case.”

During Wednesday’s hearing, Sardar Abdul Raziq Khan, the counsel for Sheikh Rashid and his brother Sheikh Siddique, appeared in the court. Additional Attorney General Siddique Awan presented partial arguments on behalf of the department.

Justice Rauf observed that it seems that the ETPB chairman did not act transparently.

Earlier, Sheikh Sidique had challenged the sealing of Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmed’s Lal Haveli, by the ETPB on September 21.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 26^th, 2023.