LAHORE: The Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) has opened a land grabbing investigation against Federal Minister of PML-N Mian Javed Latif and directed him to join the probe, failing which legal action will be taken against him.

Last week, the Lahore police booked Mr Latif and three others under Section 9 (punishment for acts intended or likely to stir up sectarian hatred) and Section 11X(3) (responsibility for creating civil commotion) of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997 for allegedly “fanning religious hatred” against ousted prime minister Imran Khan and “endangering his life”.

“Federal Minister Javed Latif and his brothers have been summoned on the charges of illegal occupation of government land in Sheikhupura,” an ACE official told Dawn on Monday. He said PML-N MPA Waqar Cheema of Gujranwala was also summoned by the ACE for non-payment of government dues.

The official further said that ACE strict action was being taken against illegal occupants of the state lands.

Earlier, the National Accountability Bureau had accused Latif of acquiring assets worth billions of rupees in the name of his siblings after coming into politics. Before entering politics, he reportedly lived in an inherited ‘12-marla’ house in Habib Colony, Sheikhupura. He allegedly acquired the majority of his assets in the name of his mother, a housewife and a non-tax filer, to park his black money.

Meanwhile, ACE Director General Nadeem Sarwar presided over an important meeting of its officers here on Monday and asked them to act against the corrupt elements without any discrimination.

Published in Dawn, September 27th, 2022