Rawalpindi (Special Reporter) :
In a dramatic turn of events, the historic Nishat Cinema—valued at billions of rupees—has reportedly been illegally occupied by a notorious land mafia led by Malik Arif, allegedly with the support of police officials and Shahid Ghafoor Paracha, President of the Rawalpindi Traders Association. This has occurred despite a valid stay order issued by the High Court.
Speaking at a press conference at the Rawalpindi Press Club, the legal heir of the cinema property, Maimoona Bano, along with Imperial Market President Muhammad Rafiq Shah, trader leader Jaji Dilawar Khan, and their legal counsel Barrister Luqman Bajauri, accused the local administration and police of collusion with land grabbers.
Maimoona Bano claimed that the land mafia forged documents for an 18-marla plot and used them to illegally seize the cinema property. She further alleged that Malik Arif and his associates fired gunshots during the occupation and are now openly roaming the Raja Bazaar area with illegal arms, while police turn a blind eye.
“This is our ancestral property. I have fought this legal battle for years. Now, I am left with no option but to protest alongside traders in Raja Bazaar,” Bano said emotionally. “Despite having multiple shareholders, one man has taken control of the cinema at gunpoint with administrative backing.”
She claimed that a violent attempt to seize the property was made on December 20, 2023, resulting in one death and multiple injuries. “Even with a High Court stay order in place, the building is being vandalized under the supervision of local police,” she alleged.
Barrister Bajauri criticized law enforcement’s inaction and slow investigation in this high-profile case, accusing certain police officers of deliberately delaying the criminal investigation to protect the accused. “The key accused, Malik Arif and Shahid Ghafoor Paracha, have a history of violence and criminal activity,” he added.
The press conference attendees issued a stern warning that if immediate action is not taken, they will be forced to shut down Raja Bazaar in protest. They demanded:
- Immediate enforcement of the High Court stay order
- Arrest of those involved in the illegal occupation
- Independent inquiry into police complicity
- Protection for the rightful property owners
The owners have appealed directly to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Punjab IGP, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, and other top officials to intervene and restore justice. “If violence erupts, the Commissioner, CPO, and related officials will be held responsible,” they warned.
