SC bans construction of housing societies on railways land

New railways tracks will be laid in Karachi and Peshawar, says railways minister

The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday restricted construction of housing societies on land belonging to Pakistan Railways, Express News reported.

The court also seized control of a private club built illegally on railway land.

A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar, heard the case at the apex court's Lahore registry. Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed and authorities of the club were also present in court.



The court instructed an audit company to appoint new management for the club and barred the old management from entering the club. The court also ordered the audit company to seize all records of the club

Justice Nisar stated that the court was placing a restriction on constructing housing societies and also restricted giving out railway land for lease for more than three years.



The hearing of the case has been adjourned till next week.

Sheikh Rasheed

Addressing a news conference in Lahore, Sheikh Rasheed stated that new railway tracks will be laid in Karachi and Peshawar.

The railways minister added that, "We have given 25 days notice to people occupying Karachi Circular Railways (KCR) land to look for alternative lands".

Two air conditioned business class trains and two economy trains will be inaugurated, added the minister and said two 'VIP' trains are set to be inaugurated before March 23.