KARACHI: President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Shamim Ahmed Firpo has said that the honorable Sindh High Court (SHC) has issued a show cause notice to Chairman Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Siddique ul Farooq for failing to comply with a court order in which ETPB was ordered to decide KCCI property matter within fifteen days.
According to the statement of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry the honorable court's show cause notice seeks written reply from Chairman ETPB for failing to comply with court order and in case the court is not satisfied with his written reply, Chairman ETPB Siddique ul Farooq may also be summoned by the court.
In a statement issued, KCCI President added that the honorable court's show cause notice seeks written reply from Chairman ETPB for failing to comply with court order and in case the court is not satisfied with his written reply, Chairman ETPB Siddique ul Farooq may also be summoned by the court.
President KCCI pointed out that the illegal occupants of KCCI premises in connivance with Evacuee Trust filed a totally false and fabricated reference before its Chairman Siddiq ul Farooque of PML-N against KCCI with an only intention to further linger the proceedings.
He said that the Karachi Chamber initiated legal action against illegal occupants of its premises almost a year ago and some cases have been decided in favor of KCCI whereas 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 favor of KCCI, they joined hands with ETPB officials and under their instigation, Evacuee Trust Properties Board filed reference before its Chairman Siddiq ul Farooque against KCCI and it was a matter of grave concern that they were receiving preferential treatment from ETPB.
He informed that some of these illegal occupants, who had one to two rooms some 40 years ago according to records maintained by 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' of Chamber's property.
“Chairman ETPB in connivance with the illegal occupants is using his office to save them from legal action and ejection and helping them to avoid action through court and police”, Shamim Firpo said, adding that Karachi Chamber is not the property of Evacuee Property Trust Board but this property belongs to Karachi Chamber and its members which was decided in early 50s and the evidences about the same are available with KCCI management.
