Arable land: Agriculturists take on housing scheme

Petition filed at PHC states project a threat to environment


Fawad Ali January 27, 2016
Peshawar High Court. PHOTO: PPI

PESHAWAR:


Calling a major housing scheme a threat to agricultural land, farmers rights and the environment, a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf MPA and elected members from the district filed a writ petition against it on Wednesday.


MPA Jahandad Khan, along with four district members, who also own land falling in Defence Housing Authority Site-II, filed the petition at the Peshawar High Court through their attorney Ghulam Mohiuddin Malik. They have asked the court to halt the implementation of this scheme.

The petitioners named the provincial government—through the K-P chief secretary—DHA Peshawar director land, housing department secretary, Peshawar district coordination officer, district officer revenue, Peshawar commissioner and Provincial Housing Authority as respondents.

The petition stated that as per the law, only one DHA scheme can be constructed in a city, but there was a second one coming up in Peshawar. It said hundreds of acres of land would be required on Dalazak Road, Ring Road and Motorway for the proposed housing scheme.

Jobs and environment concerns

The residents and farmers of 12 villages residing on the sides of the roads were extremely concerned about the scheme as they would be deprived of precious agricultural lands, the writ argued. It said the K-P revenue department, in a notification to collectors on November 12, 2002, directed the choosing of barren land and the provincial cabinet, from time to time, decided not to use agricultural land for housing schemes.

The plaintiffs said in spite of all these orders, agricultural lands were earmarked for the scheme and this would deprive hundreds of families of their property and livelihoods.

The petition further stated the scheme would increase environmental pollution in the city as it was to be constructed on around 60% of the city’s agricultural land. According to the prevailing policy of the provincial government, agricultural land was exempted from acquisition for any other purpose, including housing schemes.

The petition contended the land had great potential, but converting it into a housing scheme would harm the socio-economic condition of the rural populace. It added the respondents were bent upon acquiring the property with mala fide and ulterior motives. It added the property was not being used for any public purpose and the whole idea was to make it a source of income for influential people by selling plots at exorbitant rates.

The petitioners stated the respondents kept proceedings a secret and did not issue a notification under Section 4 of the Land Acquisition Act in the official gazette. They added no legal proceedings had been made public before issuing a press statement.

The writ argued these actions were against the basic fundamental rights of the petitioners and the Constitution guaranteed protection to life and property.

It requested the court declare the property not viable for acquisition for a housing scheme and the authorities’ actions as unlawful.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 28th,  2016.

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ