LAHORE – The Supreme Court has ordered the Anti-Corruption Department director general to take control of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmaker Afzal Nadeem house in Lahore.
A two-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar, while hearing a suo motu case at the Lahore registry on alleged land grabbing by the Afzal Nadeem, Shafi and Saiful Malook Khokhar, known as Khokhar brothers, ordered the ACE to take action in light of a report on the matter submitted today by ACE Director General Hussain Asghar and to submit another report on the matter within 10 days.
“I won’t let the lawlessness prevail in Pakistan, we are breaking the nexus. Khokar Palace should be evicted. We can make an academic institution at the site,” the top judge remarked.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/pml-n-lawmaker-afzal-khokhar-arrested-on-land-grabbing-charges/
In December, Afzal Nadeem Khokhar was arrested for building his home, termed Khokhar Palace, by illegally occupying 34 marlas of land owned by an overseas Pakistani man, Tariq Mehmood. He was granted post-arrest bail by a judicial magistrate at Model Town courts the next day.
CJP Nisar observed that the Khokhar brothers introduced land grabbing culture in the country, adding that he is aware what they will do to him after he retires from the post.
The Anti-Corruption Department submitted a report to the top court, explaining that the Khokhar brothers had illegally occupied 40 kanals of land owned by the government. The report added that out of 10 individuals, payments were only made to a single person.
According to the report, pre-arrest bails have been obtained by both the accused. “The Khokhar brothers have received bail till your retirement,” Asghar told Justice Nisar who is set to retire on Jan 17.
The chief justice warned that the court would do away with the Khokhars’ joint lands. “Empty Khokhar palace and pack up your things,” he thundered. “I will not let such thuggish behaviour take place in Pakistan.”
The top judge also suggested that an educational institute be set up in place of Khokhar Palace similar to that being introduced at PM House.
On the other hand, the lawyer for the Khokhar brothers maintained they were innocent.
