Supreme Court. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE
The apex court has summoned the secretaries of the Ministry of Interior and the Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD), as well as the chairperson of the Capital Development Authority over the delay in the shifting of offices of the inspectors-general of the Islamabad and motorway police from their current location in residential areas.
A two-member Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Azmat Saeed Sheikh is hearing a case against illegal blockades and encroachments in residential areas of Islamabad Capital Territory.
The court, on February 25, had given the CDA the go-ahead to proceed against all parties in its anti-encroachment drive, irrespective of their position.
During the hearing, the CDA counsel informed the court that in 2007, land was allotted to the Motorway Police, and to the Islamabad Police in 2008, for setting up their respective IG’s offices.
“They have still not shifted their offices,” the counsel added.
Upon hearing this, Justice Sheikh asked why the CDA did not seal the existing offices.
The judge said that if the CDA would not perform its duties, then the law would take it own course.
He also asked why the civic agency tolerates such illegal actions.
In a lighter vein, Justice Umar Ata Bandial remarked that the inspectors-general could also set up temporary offices in a container, referring to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan’s use of a container during anti-government protests in 2014.
Justice Sheikh, countered by saying, “Don’t mention the container as it brings back bad memories [of that period].”
The civic body informed the court that all property owners violating the CDA by-laws were issued notices and follow-up actions were under way.
In compliance with the apex court’s previous orders, the civic agency has been carrying out operations against non-conforming use of residential buildings in the city.
The hearing was later adjourned till March 14.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 4th, 2016.
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