LAHORE: The Punjab government has eventually issued an eviction notice to Planning Commission (PC) Deputy Chairman Jehanzeb Khan to vacate the 16-Golf Road residence in GOR-I.

The eviction order has been issued after Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz rejected Mr Khan’s request for extension of GOR residence.

The notice issued to Mr Khan says he was retired from government service on Aug 1, 2020 on attaining the age of superannuation while the GOR-1 residence was under his occupation. After expiry of six months permissible extension period, Mr Khan was granted one-year extension up to April 1, 2022 in compliance with chief minister’s direction. Thereafter, Mr Khan was again granted further one-year extension up to April 1, 2023 in relaxation of policy in compliance with CM’s direction.

Subsequently, upon receipt of chief minister’s March 25, 2023 directive for grant of further extension from April 1, 2023, the Punjab government had initiated a summary for the chief minister. However, the competent authority did not allow further extension in favour of Mr Khan and his status in the said residence was converted into an unauthorised occupant with effect from April 2, 2023, says the vacation order.

Jehanzeb Khan managed to get extension twice in relaxation of policy

The Punjab government, through the notice, observed that Mr Khan had already been served upon vacation notice on Sept 7 followed by legal ejectment notice on Sept 27 last year but he had yet not vacated the residence.

The Punjab government has asked Mr Khan to “vacate the 16-Golf Road GOR-1 within three days positively as stipulated period of vacation notice and legal ejectment notice has already been expired”.

The GOR-1’s 16-Golf Road residence was allotted to former Punjab chief secretary Abdullah Khan Sumbal on July 20, 2022, with a direction that the allotment order for Deputy Chairman Planning Commission of Pakistan Jehanzeb Khan stands cancelled.

Mr Sumbal, who was residing with his parents in Lahore Cantt, however allowed Mr Khan to continue staying in the GOR-1 residence. The situation took an unfortunate turn with the death of Mr Sumbal on Sept 6 last year and his wife eventually left stranded and needed the allotted GOR-1 residence.

The Punjab government on Nov 21 last year formally allowed Mr Sumbal’s widow Dr Ainul Momina to retain the 16-Golf Road residence till Jan 21, 2030 – the date of superannuation of the late Mr Sumbal. However, Mr Khan did not vacate the house and instead applied for extension.

In support of the late Sumbal’s wife Dr Momina, a Harvard graduate, the caretaker Punjab cabinet had also taken up the case in its 37th meeting on Jan 24 this year and agreed to get the illegal possession vacated from Mr Jehanzeb Khan and grant the possession to Dr Momina. But the matter yet again saw a grinding halt as Mr Khan applied for extension in his residence’s possession.

Mr Khan’s move for not relinquishing possession of the house already allotted to Mr Sumbal had drawn a strong resentment among the bureaucrats fraternity. Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman had also acknowledged that Mr Jehanzeb Khan had applied for re-extension but such an extension was not permitted under the rules.

It is learnt the cabinet standing committee for law and order will also determine “penal rent” for the period Mr Khan kept the residence in his possession beyond the legal allotment period.

Published in Dawn, April 23rd, 2024