KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday reserved its verdict in the Arif Alvi residence dispute involving a government bungalow in Bath Island. This property is claimed as the former president’s post-office entitlement.
The constitutional bench concluded arguments on connected petitions filed by former president Dr Arif Alvi and former government official Dr Shahab Imam over House No. 5-A in Bath Island, Karachi. Notably, Imam still possesses the property.
Alvi contends that the federal government allotted the property to him after he completed his presidential term in March 2024. His petition seeks possession of the bungalow as the official residence available to a former president for life.
Pakistan’s President’s Pension Act, 1974 provides a former president with a free official residence for life. Alternatively, it provides a prescribed monthly rent if an official residence is not provided or occupied.
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Imam, meanwhile, has challenged the cancellation of his retention of the same government accommodation. Earlier court proceedings recorded his position. He claims retention was approved after his voluntary retirement. Moreover, he argues that a subsequent policy change could not retrospectively remove what he considers an accrued right.
During Thursday’s arguments, Imam also submitted that Alvi owned other residences and could be provided government accommodation in Islamabad instead. That argument is a party’s submission and has not been accepted or rejected by the court.
The SHC did not announce a decision after completing arguments and will issue its ruling later.
