Bypass construction: Secy reprimanded for flouting court orders

LAHORE: Justice Ayesha A Malik of Lahore High Court on Thursday reprimanded the communications and works secretary for not enforcing court orders.

“Why should I not initiate contempt proceedings against you for making a mockery of court orders?” Justice Malik asked Secretary Mian Mushtaq Ahmed.

The judge was hearing arguments on a petition moved by Sayeda Kaneez Fatima, challenging the construction of a bypass on her land despite a restraining order issued by the court. Advocate Tafazzul Rizvi, her counsel, said despite a stay order issued by the court, the Communication and Works Department had constructed the Depalpur-Kasur bypass on his client’s land. He said his client had not been paid for the land. He said after the secretary was informed about the court order, he issued directives to continue construction. The court asked the secretary by which authority had he passed the directives. The secretary submitted an unconditional apology and said the petitioner would be paid a fair price for her land.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 1^st, 2016.