Rawalpindi by Special Coorespondent
In a press conference held at the Rawalpindi Press Club, property owner Malik Arif firmly denied all allegations leveled against him regarding the ownership of the Nishat Cinema property (Property No. G-119), claiming the accusations are based on false and forged documents.
Accompanied by Advocate Chaudhry Umar Hayat, Samina Bibi, and others, Malik Arif stated that certain individuals are falsely portraying the property as their ancestral land using forged papers. However, he pointed out that a civil court has already declared these documents to be fake.
He explained that the property was originally allotted by the Rehabilitation Department in 1960 to Ms. Aziza, widow of Hussain Bakhsh. Her grandson, Muhammad Saeed, pursued a legal battle for over 25 years to claim ownership, even selling his home to fund the case, but passed away during court proceedings in 2012.
According to Malik Arif, after Saeed’s death, the opposing parties presented a 1994 cancellation letter in the Lahore High Court, which was later declared bogus following an official inquiry. The authorities subsequently issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC) in his favor.
“I have complete legal ownership documents. If the opposing party can prove even one marla of allotment, I’m willing to hand it over,” Arif asserted. “They have made baseless accusations without presenting any evidence.”
He condemned what he described as a deliberate attempt to defame institutions and community organizations in the city. “I have not encroached on anyone’s land. I have followed all legal procedures,” he said, adding that he purchased the property legally and possesses all relevant documentation.
Arif also revealed that he paid Rs. 22.8 million to convert the property to commercial use and obtained an approved map for building a plaza. The Excise Department had previously sealed the property for 12 years over non-payment of taxes. He stated that all fake registrations made by other parties were later canceled, and cases were filed against those who fabricated the documents.
He further disclosed that on December 20, 2023, nearly 60 armed individuals attacked the site, resulting in the death of a young man. A case was registered at City Police Station in this regard.
Malik Arif concluded by stating that all court verdicts and documentary evidence have been shared with the media. “If anyone still needs further proof, I am ready to present it,” he said.
