LAHORE: Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar on Monday rebuked PML-N’s MNA Afzal Khokhar and his brother MPA Saiful Malook Khokhar with a warning to take strict action against them if found involved in grabbing a single inch of any individual’s land.

The chief justice observed that Khokhars had become a symbol of terror as no one dares to raise voice against them.

Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Lahore Saleh Saeed submitted a report saying that “Khokhar Palace” of Khokhar brothers was constructed on 177 kanals. She said the land was legally owned by Khokhar brothers, however, its consolidation was done in a dubious manner. She said the Khokhars got their scattered land consolidated in 2014.

The Lahore Development Authority legal adviser claimed that maps of the land were not approved by LDA while the town municipal officer was not authorised to approve the maps. He pointed out that master plan was also changed to benefit Khokhar Palace and a road originally designed on the property was realigned.

Rejecting the contention, Khokhar brothers’ counsel Ahsan Bhoon presented four maps approved by the LDA. But an official of the town administration said the maps presented by the Khokhars were not of the land where the palace was constructed.

Meanwhile, a police officer told the court that the Khokhars were involved in grabbing land of widows and poor people and implicating them in fake cases.

At one point, Chief Justice Nisar offered the Khokhars to deposit Rs100 million in Supreme Court’s dam fund to get the proceedings closed.

Advocate Bhoon said his clients were ready to contribute to the dam fund as per their capacity, however, he said no illegality had been committed by them. He said Khokhars would have no objection if the court ordered forensic audit of their properties.

The chief justice summoned member board of revenue, consolidation officer, and director general of Anti-Corruption Establishment on Tuesday (today).

He also summoned Shafi Khokhar, third brother of Khokhars, and directed the FIA to investigate assets of incumbent and previous halqa patwaris posted in the area of Khokhars. The CJP had taken a suo motu notice on complaints against Khokhars accusing them of occupying land of different individuals.

JOURNALIST’S MURDER: The Supreme Court gave another six weeks to Sialkot police to arrest the prime suspect involved in the murder of a journalist belonging to Sambrial.

Earlier, the Sialkot district police officer (DPO) told the court that properties of suspect Imran Cheema alias Mani had been confiscated, while his fingerprints transmitted to the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol). Previously, police had stated that the suspect had escaped abroad.

The CJP directed DPO Ameer Abdullah to take serious measures for the arrest of the suspect, and also restrained him from harassing the suspect’s sister. The CJP ordered the DPO to immediately unseal schools of the woman, which were closed by the police due to vulnerable security arrangements.

Zeeshan Butt of Daily Nawai Waqt was allegedly shot dead by Cheema, chairman of a union council. Other suspects, including Shahid Abbas, Saqlain and Shahid, had been arrested earlier.

Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2018