Sheikh Rashid moves LHC after the government “sealed” Lal Haveli

Sheikh Rashid, the leader of the Awami Muslim League (AML) and a former interior minister, filed a petition with the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday after the government “totally sealed” his Lal Haveli mansion.

The petition, which was filed by Attorney Sardar Raziq Khan on behalf of Rashid, was accepted by the LHC and will be heard today at 11 a.m.

The AML leader asserted earlier today that his Lal Haveli home had been “totally sealed” by the authorities.

In an interview with Geo News, Rashid disclosed that he never received a notice from the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB). He said, “I was in Islamabad; I was not in the Haveli.”

“The authorities planned to detain me overnight. Currently, they have turned to hooliganism, “Added he.

The former minister insisted that this was his land, saying, “Hang us publicly and disqualify us if it is shown that we don’t own this property.”

Asif Khan, the deputy commissioner of the ETPB, arrived at the home with a large police presence, according to information made available to Geo News, and sealed two units of the house. The team from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) also arrived at the house.

The ETPB requested assistance in a letter to the deputy commissioner, the chief police officer (CPO), and the director of FIA.

Rashid and his brother Sheikh Siddique, according to the deputy commissioner, have been occupying the haveli’s seven land units without authorization.

The AML leader and his brother received many notices, according to DC Khan.

He said that the court had also rejected Sheikh Rashid’s plea for an injunction. “No valid ownership docs presented by Rashid & brother,” he said.

During the operation, the assistant commissioner, director of the FIA, and the superintendent of police (SP) were all present.

“ETPB Seals Seven Units, Court Grants Stay on Eviction”

The ETPB sealed seven units, including two units in the Lal Haveli and five adjacent ones.

Rashid contested a notification for him to leave his home. On October 18, 2022, a district and sessions court in Rawalpindi gave a stay order to the ETPB. The court ordered the ETPB to temporarily halt the eviction of the structure.

The AML chief and his brother received orders from the board to leave the house. The deadline given was seven days from October 16. The former minister, however, contested the notice in court.

Unlawful terrorism

Asad Umar, the secretary general of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, condemned “illegal terrorism” and promised Rashid of his complete support.

He stated on Twitter that the government planned to assault Lal Haveli. The intention was to vandalize Rashid’s home and put pressure on him using state resources.