Towards development: PHC dismisses writ petition against KP-EZDMC

SDA had said assets worth billions were being transferred to KP-EZDMC

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court has dismissed a writ petition filed by Sarhad Development Authority (SDA) Employees Association against Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zones Development and Management Company (KP-EZDMC).

This was stated in a press release issued by KP-EZDMC on Friday. The petition was connected to another case involving the dissolution of SDA.

According to the statement, the attorney general assured the court SDA had not been dissolved and all its employees were still part of the company.

“In the event of SDA’s dissolution, the government will abide by SDA constituent act and all [other laws applicable to the situation],” read the statement.

As per the press release, the K-P government and the owner of KP-EZDMC assured that the public sector company was set up to create jobs through rapid industrialisation in order to counter terrorism, bring prosperity to the region and raise the country’s economy.

Rewind

Earlier, on January 19, a division bench of the high court granted time to the K-P advocate general to assist the court in the case involving SDA’s dissolution.

During the hearing, SDA’s counsel had said assets worth billions were being transferred to KP-EZDMC and a notification had been issued in this regard. The counsel said the provincial government completed the transfer process in haste, ignoring all legal requirements during the process.

The lawyer had argued the provincial government should find legal means for the dissolution of a constitutional institution instead of an administrative order to dissolve it and sack its employees. He added the dissolution of SDA was beyond comprehension.

Ahmad Bilal Sufi, attorney representing KP-EZDMC, had argued the company was registered under a relevant act. As a result, the writ could not be filed against it. He argued it was a fast-track company that sold vacant plots in Hattar Industrial Estate in a short span of time.

Looking ahead

Following the dismissal of the writ petition, KP-EZDMC’s management started to move forward with its future plans.

“Plot allotments at Hattar Economic Zone will start in March,” stated the press release. “Allotments will begin at Peshawar Economic Zone in April 2016. It added, “The remaining economic zones include Ghazi, Jalozai, Rashakai/M-1, Karak/Kohat, Bannu, DI Khan and Swat will be inaugurated this year to capitalise on opportunities created by China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.”

KP-EZDMC aims to ensure sustainable economic development in the province.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 12^th, 2016.