ISLAMABAD, Nov 24: Federal Ministry of Housing and Works on Wednesday, while clarifying its position regarding the eviction of the family of Ahmad Faraz from a government house by the estate office , said the house was neither allotted to Ahmad Faraz nor it was in his occupation,

An official statement said the facts presented during the press conference held here on November 23 by local writers were incorrect. "The house was allotted to Mr Faraz's wife, Ms Rehana Gill, who retired on February 28, 2003.

According to accommodation allocation rules, she was entitled to retain the house for six months more after the retirement which expired on July 27, 2003." However, the statement said, she did not vacate the house.

The statement said instead, a request was received through the competent authority for considering allotment of the house to Ahmad Faraz, who is currently holding the position of managing director of the National Book Foundation, on December 26, 2003.

It said since he was heading a non-entitled department, the competent authority upheld this position vide a letter dated August 26, 2004. Only after receipt of this communication from the competent authority, the ministry issued a notice of vacation on September 4, 2004 as Ms Rehana Gill continued to illegally occupy the house in violation of rules from July 27, 2003 to November 21, 2004 for more than 16 months, it added.

Original Story: Eviction of poet's family condemned