GUJRAT: The former prime minister and president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has formally sought a division of the Zahoor Elahi House, Gujrat, the family’s jointly-owned residence in their home town.

The Q League chief has filed a civil suit in a local court through Hafiz Aqeel Jaleel, the personal secretary to his son Chaudhry Salik Hussain, for the purpose.

The petitioner has been authorised by Mr Shujaat through power of attorney to file the case in the court.

Former Punjab chief minister Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, his wife Qaisra Elahi, former federal minister Chaudhry Wajahat Hussain, Gujrat former district Nazim Chaudhry Shafaat Hussain and some female members of the family have been made respondents in the case.

The petitioner has sought distribution of the property among all the legal heirs as per their right.

Civil Judge Muhammad Naeem Wattoo has issued a stay order against any attempt to change the current design and status of the property. However, the stay order may not stop any of the share holders from selling their due share.

The court has also issued notices to all the respondents for the next date of hearing, which is Jan 19, 2024.

Zahoor Elahi House has long been a bastion of the Chaudhrys politics in Gujrat district, but the political divide between the members of the family has resulted in the prevailing situation.

As both parties to the dispute want to have possession of Zahoor Elahi House to use the family influence in their respective interests, a contingent of Gujrat police has been deployed at the building to avert any law and order situation.

Family sources say that all the six sisters of Chaudhry Shujaat have been siding with Parvez Elahi and his son Moonis Elahi in the dispute.

The Elahi camp had merged their faction with the PTI last year, whereas the families of Shujaat and Wajahat are leading the PML-Q.

Published in Dawn, January 16th, 2024