SHC says former president Arif Alvi entitled to free official residence for life

The Sindh High Court has ruled in favour of former president Dr Arif Alvi, saying he is entitled to a free official residence for life under the law governing post-presidency benefits.

The court directed the Ministry of Housing and Works and the additional estate officer to process Alvi’s housing entitlement in accordance with the law. It passed the order while disposing of two petitions concerning the allotment of an official residence to the former president.

The bench said that Alvi’s entitlement was covered by the President’s Pension Act, 1974. Under the law, he could either be provided a free official residence for life or receive the prescribed rent allowance.

One of the petitions was filed by Dr Shahab Imam, who is currently residing in a government house in Bath Island. The property had been allotted to Alvi in 2024.

Imam had argued that Alvi was not entitled to the particular house because he already owned a residence in the city. He, however, informed the court that he had no objection to vacating the government property.

The bench said it would not examine or give an opinion on Imam’s petition as he had already expressed his willingness to vacate the house.

The court directed Imam to hand over the property to the estate office without delay. It said the estate office could then allot the house to another person in accordance with the applicable law and policy.