The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday issued restrictive orders against fraudulent sale of land of tomb of Mahabat Khan, a prominent Army General of Mughal emperor Jehangir. Mahabat Khan, whose real name was Zaman Khan had served as General in Mughal Army during Jahangir and Shah Jahan reign.
The court passed these orders in a writ petition filed by Dr Qari Ishfaq Ullah, head of Pakistan Muslim League (Qasim Group) and issued notices to concerned authorities. The petitioner contended that Mahabat Khan's tomb was built in 1634 at GT Road Baghbanpura Lahore.
The government of Pakistan had taken tomb into custody in 1956 after declaring it a historical place under Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904. Later, the government also included it in the list of archaeological and historical monuments protected under The Antiquities Act 1975.
He pleaded that land grabbers namely Tanvir Kabir and Ahmed Munir had joined hands with officials of revenue department, tampered the record and showed tomb's 12 Kanal, 17 Marla land as their inherited property and now they are going to sell it. The petitioner pointed out that people of the vicinity had been protesting against the land grabber for six months but government officials did not pay attention. He prayed the court to stop the sale of tomb's land and direct the government to take necessary steps for protection and preservation of the historical place.