Anti-encroachment drive: Police lodge case against Haleem Adil Sheikh

KARACHI: Leader of opposition in Sindh Assembly, Haleem Adil Sheikh was booked for attempted murder, interference in government duties, and disturbing peace during an anti-encroachment drive conducted at his Malir farmhouse on Saturday.

According to police sources, the first information report (FIR) against Haleem Adil Sheikh included clauses pertaining to disturbing peace, financial loss to government property, assault on government employees, attempted murder, intimidation, and interference in the government’s work.

The case was registered at the Memon Goth police station on the behalf of Muhammad Ayub, a resident of Karachi’s Korangi area. At least 70 people, including the PTI lawmaker, were named in the case.

In this regard, the Sindh Information and Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah said the operation against encroachments was being conducted under the orders of the Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Gulzar Ahmed. “Haleem Adil was crying hoarse that action had been taken against his family,” he noted.

On the other hand, Haleem Adil Sheikh had said that the corrupt government of Sindh in order to silence the voice of opposition started demolishing the legal structures of the PTI leaders.

Addressing a press conference flanked by PTI senior leader Firdous Shamim Naqvi, Khuram Sher Zaman and parliamentary party leader Bilal Ghaffar outside the Sindh Assembly on Saturday, the PTI leader held the Sindh government responsible.

“Proper papers and documents are present regarding the lands of his brother Azeem Adil Sheikh and his cousin Tariq Qureshi,” he said. Haleem Adil alleged that on the orders of PPP leaders police have sealed the whole area to harass the PTI leaders However, “We will not let them do these illegal acts. These lands are with us since 2002,” he added.

Haleem Adil said, “The SBCA is based on corruption”. He appealed to the Supreme Court and the High Court to set up a judicial commission on the occupation of lands in Sindh.

“Murad Ali Shah and Nasir Shah are involved in the illegal distribution of lands amongst their blue-eyed boys. In Jamshoro, Malir and Thatta about 5000 acres of lands are encroached upon,” he alleged.

It is worth mentioning here, an anti-encroachment operation commenced in Malir district during which more than 500 acres of government land had been retrieved.

The operation started on the directives of Deputy Commissioner Malir against canceled lands who lease was canceled three decades ago.

More than 200 illegal farmhouses owned by political and religious leaders as well as police officers were demolished during the operation. A farmhouse belonging to Leader of Opposition in Sindh Assembly Haleem Adil Sheikh was also razed in the operation.