SHC issues show-cause notice to ETPB chairman

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has issued a show-cause notice to Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) chairman Siddique ul Farooq for failing to comply with a court order in which the board was ordered to decide the property matter of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) within 15 days, an official said on Saturday.

In a statement, KCCI president Shamim Ahmed Firpo said that the honorable court’s show-cause notice seeks written reply from the ETPB chairman for failing to comply with the court order and in case the court is not satisfied with his written reply, Farooq may also be summoned by the court.

The KCCI president said the illegal occupants of the KCCI premises in connivance with the Evacuee Trust filed a false and fabricated reference before its chairman Farooque against the KCCI only with the intention to further linger the proceedings.

The Karachi Chamber initiated legal action against illegal occupants of its premises almost a year ago and some cases have been decided in favour of the KCCI, he said.

A few other cases are currently underway at the honorable court, but as these illegal occupants, who are being led by ex-senator of PML-N Khawaja Qutubuddin, feared that the courts may also give decisions in favour of the KCCI, joined hands with ETPB officials and under their instigation, Evacuee Trust Properties Board filed a reference before its chairman against the KCCI.

It is a matter of grave concern that they are receiving preferential treatment from ETPB, Firpo added.

He said some of these illegal occupants, who occupy one to two rooms 40 years ago, according to records maintained by the KCCI, have gradually occupied 12 to 17 rooms and are not paying any rent against these rooms. In fact, these culprits can be termed as ‘Qabza Mafia’, he added.

“The ETPB chairman in connivance with the illegal occupants is using his office to save them from legal action and ejection and helping them avoid action through court and police,” Firpo said, adding that the property belongs to the Karachi Chamber and its members, which was decided in early 50s and the evidences about the same are available with the KCCI management.