Cabinet accepts resignation of Chairman ETPB amid ‘differences’ with Religious Affairs Minister

ISLAMABAD: The Chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), Habibur Rehman Gillani, has resigned from his position following alleged differences with Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Talha Mehmood and the federal cabinet has accepted his resignation, it was learnt on Thursday.

According to sources, the resignation of Chairman Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), Habibur Rehman Gillani, has been accepted by the federal cabinet amidst alleged differences with Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Talha Mehmood.

The sources said that the approval was taken from the Federal Cabinet through circulation on the summary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs. They said the federal cabinet has also authorized the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Dr. Syed Attaul Rehman, to serve as the Acting Chairman of the board (ETPB) for at least three months or until a permanent chairman is appointed.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs did not allow the one-month notice period of the Chairman to complete, and the federal cabinet has approved his resignation by paying one month’s salary in advance, said the sources.

Gillani was appointed as chairman for three years on April 9 last year, with the government coalition party being keen on the attractive appointment, the sources added.

The sudden resignation of Gillani has raised concerns among political circles, with some questioning the government’s decision to remove the ETPB chairman. The situation remains unclear, and it remains to be seen how the Evacuee Trust Property Board will function under the new leadership.

It is pertinent to mention that the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) manages properties abandoned by Hindus and Sikhs who migrated to India after the partition of the subcontinent in 1947.

Ahmad Ahmadani
Ahmad Ahmadani
The author is an investigative journalist. He can be reached at [email protected].

Must Read