SAHIWAL: Regional Anti-Corruption Establishment Court Special Judge Asif Bashir on Wednesday issued non-bailable arrest warrants of Patwari Muhammad Ashraf and Auqaf Manager Shafqat for not appearing for the hearing in Rs113.1 million corruption case against Khawar Manika and his two sons, Ibrahim and Musa.

Ibrahim Manika had gone to Spain and was declared an absconder by the court.

On Wednesday, Khawar Manika and his son Musa, along with Excise Inspector Allah Nawaz, appeared in the court.

However, Patwari Ashraf and Auqaf Manager Shafqat did not appear in court.

The court also called two witnesses – Gul Khan and Adnan – along with the police constables who recorded their statements.

Mr Manika, who is ex-husband of PTI founder Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi, and his sons were indicted in corruption cases in the light of a reference filed by Okara deputy commissioner on August 23, 2023.

As per the prosecution, Mr Manika had illegally constructed 26 shops and a marriage hall on a four-kanal piece of state land meant for Pir Islam Graveyard in Haveli Lakha.

It is also alleged that he received Rs26 million in rent from the shops so far, but paid no taxes to the municipal corporation.

Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2025