LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday issued a notice tothe Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) on a post-arrest bail petition of Khawar Maneka in the case of allegedly grabbing Auqaf department’s land in Haveli Lakha.

Justice Ali Baqar Najafi heard initial arguments of Mr Maneka’s counsel and sought a reply from the ACE by Nov 14.

The counsel argued that the petitioner had been implicated in the case only for political reasons. He said the petitioner had not committed any illegal act, seeking his release on bail.

Last week, a special court had dismissed the bail petition of Mr Maneka in the land garbing case.

Mr Maneka is former husband of Bushra Bibi, now wife of PTI chairman Imran Khan.

ACE Okara circle had registered a case against Khawar Maneka and his two sons, Ibrahim and Musa, under sections 409, 420, 468, and 471 of the Pakistan Penal Code, along with section 5/2/47 of The Prohibition of Corruption Act.

It accused them of constructing shops and a wedding lawn on illegally occupied land of the Auqaf department.

The ACE said 26 shopkeepers had given a written statement that Khawar Maneka, his accountant and his sons have been receiving rent for the shops from them for the last five to six years.

Published in Dawn, October 19th, 2023