LHC orders to de-seal Sheikh Rasheed’s Lal Haveli residence

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday directed the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) to immediately de-seal Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rasheed’s Lal Haveli residence in Rawalpindi, ARY News reported.

The Rawalpindi bench of Lahore High Court (LHC), chaired by Justice Mirza Waqas Rauf, heard the former interior minister’s appeal, urging the court to issue an order for de-sealing Lal Haveli’s residence.

The court overturned the previous decision made by the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) and directed them to de-seal the property and reopen the case.

Earlier, the ETPB declared the occupation of Lal Haveli and six other properties by Sheikh Rasheed and his brother Sheikh Siddique as ‘illegal’.

During the hearing today, the LHC ruled that Sheikh Rasheed and Sheikh Siddique should have the opportunity to present their case again, with a fresh hearing. “The petitioner should be given full opportunity to present his position”, the court stated.

Recently, Sheikh Rasheed resurfaced after a month-long disappearance and condemned the May 9 riots while calling PTI chief Imran Khan a ‘stubborn’.

Talking to a private news channel, the former interior minister said that he had been on a ‘Chilla’ (apparently spending time underground) for the last 40 days.

Rasheed – an ally of PTI chief Imran Khan – said that he had the opportunity to reflect on many things during the chilla in this age. “No one caused any harm during this period”, he added.

The AML president further said that he always stood by Pakistan Army, noting that he had also suggested PTI chief that “one should keep good terms with the army”. “I am proud to call myself the spokesperson of Pakistan Army”, Rasheed insisted.