SC rejects plea against stay order, asks for report on ‘new’ slums

CDA has been directed to use geomapping to identify slums that rose after the order

ISLAMABAD: The apex court has allowed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to take action against ‘fresh’ slums established after it had issued interim relief over the razing of a slum in Sector I-11.

The court also directed the government to seek assistance from GPS mapping services and submit a report which identifies areas occupied illegally after interim relief was granted.

The two-judge bench, comprising Justice Mushir Alam and Justice Dost Muhammad, on Wednesday ruled that lack of timely action encourages people who illegally occupy public land.

During the hearing, Munir Paracha, counsel for the CDA, informed the court that people had occupied green belts, parks and apartments, taking undue advantage of the interim order issued on August 26, 2015.

He pleaded for the vacation of the interim order, but the court rejected the plea and directed the CDA to submit a report regarding recent slums that have sprout up after the interim order was issued.

The bench has directed the provinces and federation to allocate funds in the upcoming budget for gathering accurate data, mapping, legislation and administration to settle the slums.

The SC also selected Law and Justice Commission Secretary Sarwar Khan as coordinator for an expert working group and directed him to summon a meeting within 15 days and submit a report before the court within a month.

The bench also heard from the representatives of the provinces on slum-related issues. The case was adjourned for a month.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 21^st, 2016.