In Karachi, the leadership of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) isconfronted with a fresh legal challenge. The individual who leased PTI’sKarachi headquarters, known as Insaf House, has taken the matter to courtin pursuit of unpaid rent exceeding Rs10 million for the past 12 years.
PTI stands accused of failing to pay rent for Insaf House in Karachi for12 years, accumulating a debt of Rs13.9 million to the owner (calculateduntil July 2023).
This legal dispute has the potential to bring legal repercussions for PTI’sleadership, including President Arif Alvi, as the landlord has filed a caseagainst them under section 15 of the Sindh Rental Ordinance Act 1969.
The rental agreement for PTI’s Karachi headquarters was established withthe involvement of key figures such as Naeem ul Haque, the late PTI leader,President Arif Alvi, and former Sindh governor Imran Ismail.
Firdous Shamim Naqvi and Samar Ali Khan also signed the agreement as”guarantors.” According to the terms of the agreement, PTI leaders,including Alvi, Ismail, and the late Haque, committed to paying a monthlyrent of Rs100,000.
Read Top Stories
Beyond the issue of unpaid rent, PTI’s leadership may also face legalconsequences for violating the agreement’s clause, which prohibited anypolitical activities at the premises. If the landlord wins the case, Alvi,Ismail, and the “guarantors” could even face disqualification.
It is worth noting that PTI had previously sought court intervention tohave Insaf House unsealed after it was sealed following the May 9incidents, which included attacks on army installations, including theGeneral Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.
The court, while ordering the authorities to unseal the party’s office, hasimposed restrictions on gatherings of more than five people at the premises.
