Dr Hina Awan, an overseas Pakistani, has appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Field Marshal General Syed Asim Munir and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to intervene and secure the recovery of her Rawalpindi property after an alleged forcible takeover by an influential land-grabbing gang.
According to Dr Awan, her husband legally purchased a plot in the Ring Road area of Rawalpindi in June 2021 and established a car workshop there, investing lakhs of rupees in machinery and fittings. The couple also maintained a licensed collection of rare birds and dogs, while a nephew’s company later operated an office on the same premises. When business stalled in 2023 the workshop was closed, equipment stored on site, and the family temporarily returned abroad.
Dr Awan says that a permanent employee, Faiz Ahmed Asif Butt, remained at the compound to provide security. She alleges that in January 2026, between 30 and 40 armed men entered the property around 11pm. The attackers have been identified by the family as Raja Saqib, Irfanullah Jan and Shoaib Abbasi, who are accused of working under Imran Ilyas, described as the nephew of a local political figure. The intruders reportedly beat a visitor, Danish Mahmood, who had gone to purchase a dog, and seriously assaulted Faiz Asif Butt.
Medical legal certificates presented by the family reportedly confirm injuries sustained by Danish Mahmood. The attackers allegedly robbed Danish of Rs50,000 and forcibly took Faiz’s motorcycle (registration 864-RIK) and mobile phones. When family members arrived at the scene they say police officers were already present outside but directed them to Naseerabad police station instead of preventing the attack or providing protection.
At the station the family submitted documents they say clearly prove legal ownership and possession of the site, but they allege police paid no heed while the armed men made competing ownership claims. Dr Awan asserts that Raja Saqib openly threatened her and her sister inside the police station, and that officers subsequently facilitated the eviction, secured the gate from outside and allowed occupants to remain inside. The family says Usman Bilal, described as a local resident allied with the alleged gang, is now occupying the premises on orders from Raja Saqib.
Dr Awan said she has pursued all available channels, including Rawalpindi operations, the Overseas Pakistani Foundation and the Prime Minister’s complaints cell, but has received no effective response. She is urging authorities to act swiftly to restore her Rawalpindi property, recover stolen items and bring the alleged perpetrators to justice so that they face appropriate legal penalties.
