Pindi’s commissioner summoned in contempt case

SC expresses anger over demolition of Girl Guides ground boundary wall despite court order

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Tuesday summoned Rawalpindi’s commissioner and deputy commissioner in connection with a contempt of court case filed against Railway Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed and his nephew MNA Sheikh Rashid Shafiq.

A three-judge SC bench took up the petition that said Rawalpindi administrations demolished boundary wall of a ground used by the Girl Guides and also cut down trees on the premises to build a helipad for Prime Minister Imran Khan who inaugurated Rashid’s charity hospital in the area last week.

Hearing the petition, Justice Ijazul Ahsan, a member of the bench, noted that the wall was demolished and the trees were cut down in order to make space for landing helicopters despite the fact that the court had clearly forbidden all encroachment on the Girls Guides’ land.

“Has Punjab government turned into a group of land grabbers?” asked Justice Ijazul Ahsan. “The Girls Guide is an institution for women. The demolition of wall has affected activities of the girls,” he said.
Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, head of the bench, asked who Punjab government would protect if it could not protect the Girls Guides. “It would be better it the things do not take a turn for the worse.”

Appearing in the court, the additional advocate general said the situation would not be aggravated. “The wall will be reconstructed from today if the court orders so,” he said.
Justice Saeed said if the administration has violated the law, then the wall must be constructed. “What is Punjab government doing in Rawalpindi? The court knows how to get its orders implemented.”

He said the commissioner, the deputy commissioner and all those on whose orders the wall was demolished are suspects. “Was the action only taken to cut ribbons for inauguration of the hospital?” Justice Ahsan asked.

The petitioner’s counsel, Ayesha Hamid, told the court that the girls and their trainers are getting threats. “All activities of the Girls Guide have come to a halt,” she said.

She said the district administration was told about the court orders upon which Sheikh Rashid telephoned the deputy commissioner and asked him not to worry about the court orders, while Sheikh Rashid’s nephew MNA Shafiq personally supervised demolition of the wall.

“Sheikh Rashid’s nephew MNA Sheikh Shafiq should be told to stay in his limits. Why was the wall demolished despite orders of the court?” Justice Ahsan said. Later, the court adjourned hearing till today (Wednesday) as it summoned Rawalpindi’s commissioner and deputy commissioner.