LHC directs ETPB to dispose of Lal Haveli case within 15 days.

The Lahore High Court's (LHC) Rawalpindi bench on Monday, while hearing Sheikh Rashid's plea against sealing of the political centre of Awami Muslim League (AML) Lal Haveli by the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) over 'illegal occupation', directed the authorities to dispose of the matter within 15 days.

Earlier, Advocate Sardar Raziq Khan, on behalf of the AML chief, submitted the plea and urged the court to hold an urgent hearing, which was accepted.

During the hearing, the ETPB's administrator told the court that Lal Haveli was not sealed but adjacent property -- seven units -- were sealed after teams of the board along with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) personnel arrived there. The court snubbed the administrator for not providing compelling arguments and directed him to dispose of the Lal Haveli matter within 15 days.

In a post-hearing media talk outside the court, the AML chief said the court had also directed the ETPB that the road to Lal Haveli would not be blocked.

Earlier, taking to Twitter, the former minister claimed that Lal Haveli was his 'personal property' and it had a 'central secretariat for public service'. He said he didn't receive a notice prior to the action, adding that sealing the Lal Haveli was an act of fascism and terrorism.

'If it is proven that Lal Haveli is not our personal property, we should be declared national criminals,' Mr Rashid said, claiming that the government took this step after it failed to find anything against him.

The former federal minister said a case pertaining to the ownership of the Lal Haveli was already fixed for hearing on Feb 15.

Addressing media outside...