SAHIWAL: A special anti-corruption court on Tuesday adjourned proceedings in a Rs113.1 million corruption case against Khawar Manika and his sons till June 10.

Special Judge Asif Bashir of the Regional ACE recorded the statements of two prosecution witnesses, constables Gul Khan and Adnan, and summoned more evidence on the next date of hearing.

Khawar Manika and his son Musa appeared in court along with co-accused Excise Inspector Allah Nawaz, Patwari Ashraf and Auqaf Department official Shafqat. However, his other son, Ibrahim, has reportedly left for Spain and was declared an absconder by the court.

The accused were indicted following a reference filed by the then Okara deputy commissioner on Aug 23, 2023.

According to the prosecution, Khawar illegally constructed 26 shops and a marriage hall on four kanals of state land allocated for the Pir Islam Graveyard in Haveli Lakha. The land was reportedly grabbed with the alleged connivance of revenue, auqaf and excise department officials. The reference claims that Manika earned Rs26m in rent from the illegal shops but did not pay any tax.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2025