The Sindh High Court has taken up a constitutional petition filed by former president Arif Alvi over a government residence in Karachi’s Bath Island area. The dispute centres on possession of the property, which Alvi claims authorities allotted to him after he completed his presidential term. However, a retired customs official currently occupies the residence and has challenged Alvi’s claim.
Alvi’s counsel told the court that authorities allotted the house to the former president after he left office. The petition seeks legal consideration of his claim to the government-owned property.
Retired Official Challenges Alvi’s Claim
The retired customs official argued that authorities had legally allotted the residence to him. He also told the court that he possessed a letter from the Ministry of Law concerning the property.
According to the official, the letter required him to vacate the residence after a specified period of 60 years.
The official also questioned Alvi’s eligibility to receive the property. He argued that the former president does not currently live in Pakistan, raising concerns about the allotment of government accommodation.
The competing claims have placed the legal status of the residence at the centre of the proceedings.
Judge Questions Government Housing Rules
During the hearing, Justice Adnan Karim noted that both parties had retired from public service.
The judge questioned the principle of retired officials continuing to occupy government-owned residences. He observed that such properties should generally return to the government after an official’s retirement.
The remarks brought broader questions about the use and allocation of government accommodation into focus.
The court, however, did not decide the ownership or possession dispute at this stage.
SHC Grants Urgent Hearing
The Sindh High Court accepted Alvi’s request for an urgent hearing. The court subsequently adjourned further proceedings until August 31. The next hearing could provide greater clarity about the competing claims over the Bath Island residence.
Meanwhile, the case highlights questions surrounding government accommodation, retirement rules and eligibility for official residences. The court will now consider the arguments from both sides before determining the legal status of the disputed property.
