Alvi demands official residence per ex-president's perks | The Express Tribune
Key Takeaways
- Former President Dr. Arif Alvi filed a petition in the Sindh High Court (SHC) seeking a permanent official residence.
- Alvi claims he is legally entitled to an official residence for life after completing his presidential tenure (2018-2024).
- The bungalow currently allocated to him (No 5-A in Bath Island) is occupied by a senior Customs officer under a 2023 stay order.
- Alvi's counsel criticized the federal government's handling of the situation as 'inappropriate and unjustified.'
- The SHC issued a notice to the attorney general, requiring a para-wise reply by the next hearing.
The Sindh High Court (SHC) issued a notice to the attorney general concerning a petition filed by former President Dr. Arif Alvi demanding the allotment of a permanent official residence. Alvi contends that, as per the law, he is entitled to lifelong official housing following the completion of his term as Pakistan's 13th president (2018-2024). Although he was initially allotted bungalow No 3-A and later No 5-A in Bath Island, Clifton, the latter property is presently occupied by Customs officer Shahab Imam, who obtained a stay order in 2023. Alvi's lawyer argued that the federal government failed to make suitable arrangements and allotted a property whose occupancy status was not disclosed. The petitioner requested the court to order the federal government to hand over possession of the Bath Island bungalow to Dr. Alvi immediately. The SHC has directed the attorney general to submit a detailed, point-by-point response at the next hearing.
