LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Friday restrained the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) from causing any harassment to Awami Muslim League chief Sheikh Rashid Ahmad in connection with an inquiry against him.

Justice Farooq Haider also sought a written report from the ACE on the petition of Rashid.

The ACE accused him of misappropriation of millions of rupees on account of fee in the sale of state land to Royal Residencia Islamabad Housing Society. The agency also summoned him and the housing society administration for investigation.

Rashid appeared before the court along with his counsel Azhar Siddique. The counsel argued that the petitioner did not violate any law in execution of the sale agreement. He claimed to have private holdings and lands fully declared in tax documents.

He said the petitioner had a sale agreement of land measuring 149 kanals situated in Attock against a sum of Rs670 million with a private housing society and received Rs100m as advance payment. The remaining amount was supposed to be received at the time of transfer of the land within a period of one year.

He asked the court to set aside the call-up notice issued to him by the ACE and restrain the agency from causing any harassment to him.

The judge restrained the ACE from taking coercive measures against the petitioner and sought a reply by July 27.

Rashid told the media that the ACE issued him the notice at the behest of interior minister Rana Sanaullah. He dared the government to initiate proceedings of treason under Article 6 of the Constitution against PTI leaders.

He said the Supreme Court did not ask for proceedings under Article 6 but the government was misleading the nation.

Rashid said the politics of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would end the day he spoke the truth.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2022