Islamabad Staff Reporter
President of All Pakistan Traders Association, Kashif Chaudhry, has called for immediate action against the alleged illegal occupation of the historic Nishat Cinema property in Rawalpindi by land mafia. Speaking at a joint press conference alongside the legal owners of the cinema, Barrister Luqman Bajauri, Rafiq Shah, Haji Dilawar Khan, Bilal Sadiq, Mohsin Sadiq, and Supreme Court Advocate Amna Bano, Kashif demanded that the disputed property be sealed and vacated until a final court decision is reached.
He urged the authorities to enforce the court’s stay order and conduct forensic verification of the allegedly forged documents used in the property transfer. He further demanded strict legal action against all officials found involved in facilitating the land grab.
Speaking at the press conference, Barrister Luqman Bajauri alleged that the cinema, located near Raja Bazaar, has been under illegal occupation for over two years. He accused Rawalpindi Commissioner Aamir Khattak of contempt of court by allowing repeated encroachments on the property despite clear judicial orders.
He claimed that the illegal occupation is being led by a notorious land grabber, Malik Arif, who has a long criminal history with over 25 FIRs registered against him. “In a 2018 inquiry ordered by the RPO Rawalpindi, Malik Arif was declared a fraudster by the CPO Rawalpindi. Yet today, the entire system, including the commissioner and police, seems to be supporting him,” Bajauri said.
The owners presented documents showing that a power of attorney used by Malik Arif had been declared fake by the Supreme Court, while their own documents were upheld. Despite this, they alleged that the commissioner validated the fake documents and facilitated the registration of residential plots on the commercial property.
The speakers also accused Malik Arif of serious criminal acts, including an armed attack on December 20, 2024, during which he allegedly fired openly on Liaqat Road, injuring 10 people and killing one. “We have video footage of the incident, yet instead of arresting the attackers, the police lodged a false FIR against our partners and detained them,” said the owners.
They claimed that this case is just one example of the broader land-grabbing problem in Rawalpindi, where traders and property owners are increasingly vulnerable due to the alleged nexus between criminals and corrupt officials.
They called on the federal government, judiciary, and National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to take immediate notice of the matter and establish a judicial inquiry comprising representatives from all relevant institutions. “There must be accountability and merit. Those involved, regardless of their position, should face the full force of the law,” Kashif Chaudhry asserted.
The business community, they said, is feeling unsafe due to unchecked lawlessness in central commercial areas, and urgent reforms are needed to protect legitimate property rights.
