Authorities seal Sheikh Rashid’s Lal Haveli in Rawalpindi

Authorities have sealed Sheikh Rashid’s Lal Haveli in Rawalpindi on Thursday.

The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) officials sealed the Awami Muslim League (AML) Sheikh Rashid Ahmad’s Lal Haveli in Rawalpindi in an operation on Thursday morning in the presence of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) personnel and police.

An ETPB official present at the site told the media that the building’s registry had been cancelled after proceedings.

The order was issued on a reference filed by ETPB Rawalpindi Deputy Administrator Asif Khan for the declaration of D-156, D-157 and D-158 as evacuee trust properties.

“Chairman sahib decided [to take control of the building] after proceedings over the registry [submitted by Rashid],” ETPB Rawalpindi Deputy Administrator Asif Khan said, clarifying that the registry was not fake.

In the notice, the ETPB chairman said: “I hereby declare property no. D-156, D-157 and D-158 (Lal Haveli and adjoining units) situated in Bohr Bazar, Rawalpindi city, district Rawalpindi, as evacuee trust properties under the Evacuee Trust Properties (Management and Disposal) Act, 1975.”

An appeal could be filed against the decision with the relevant federal secretary and high court, Asif Khan said, adding, “The haveli has been completely sealed.”

On the other hand, Lal Haveli servant Bhayya talking to the 24NewsHD TV channel said he has not been in contact with Sheikh Sahab for many days. “None of the supporters reached Lal Haveli as they disappeared,” he added.

He added that a joint team of ETPB and FIA had entered the Lal Haveli and sealed it.

“I don’t know whether they took along something or placed something inside,” he said.