Bari Imam construction: Chief commissioner, CDA, issued notices

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday issued notices to the chairman of Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the capital’s chief commissioner over a contempt petition regarding a change in the original design of the Bari Iman Shrine.

Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, issued the notices and sought their reply till January 23. A contempt application has been filed by Tanvir Hussain Shah, custodian of the Bari Imam Shrine, requesting to start criminal proceedings against the officials for changing the original design of the shrine, despite court orders.

The petitioner’s counsel, Mujtaba Haider Shirazi, said in June last year, IHC, while granting a stay order, had directed CDA not to carry out construction work at the site. He informed the court that despite the restraining order, officials continue to change the original design which is a contempt of court.

The counsel further said that in December 2014, CDA filed an application against the stay order. Later, IHC Chief Justice Anwar Khan Kasi directed the counsels of both parties to visit the site and resolve the matter through mutual understanding. However, he added, the original design is still being tampered and they will not stand for it.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 20^th, 2015.