Umar calls for checks on unlimited powers of CDA

Tells IHC a commission has been formed to address issues of people evicted during development of Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has unlimited powers which need to be brought in to some limits said as per former finance minister Asad Umar on Thursday during hearing of case regarding affectees of Islamabad.

He informed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that a commission has been constituted in compliance with court orders to address the issues of people evicted during development of residential sectors of Capital Development Authority (CDA).

IHC Chief Justice IHC Athar Minallah conducted hearing on petitions filed by allotees and affectees of CDA’s sectors including E-12, I-17, H-16, G-12, F-12, Kurri Model Village C-14 and C-15.

PM’s Special Assistant Ali Nawaz Awan, former finance minister, Asad Umer, and MNA , Raja Khurram , appeared before the court.

During the hearing, Umar informed the court that a commission comprising the professional experts had been established to permanently address the issue of affectees in accordance with court orders. He added that the chairman CDA was also a part of commission.

He stated that four categories had been made regarding the allottees and affectees. He said that the CDA had been given unlimited powers in 1960 which needed to be limited.

Chief Justice Minallah remarked that it was difficult for the court as it required changes in CDA’s master plan as well. Justice Minallah observed that most of CDA high officials were unaware of master plan as they had never read it. He further remarked that it was never difficult for governments to acquire land in other countries of the world.

He asked Umar to prepare a comprehensive guideline in order to prevent such issue in future. Justice Minallah observed that CDA and police both were responsible in matter of affectees. He said it was a technical issue related to public interest which would be resolved. The court adjourned hearing of the case for indefinite time.

Car smuggling case

The Customs department challenged the decision of a local court in Rawalpindi in favor of former senator Saifur Rehman in smuggling case.

Saif was made a respondent in petition filed in Islamabad High Court (IHC) by Customs officials.

The applicants stated that the suspect harmed national treasury by illegally importing some 257 luxury cars. They said the local court did not fulfill legal formalities and neglected facts. The applicants pleaded the IHC to void lower court’s decision.

Bar observes strike

The District Bar Association (DBA) observed a strike on Thursday against non-registration of a case against the civil judge who hit a lawyer with a paperweight and a table glass.

The lawyers took out rallies and symbolically shut main gate of judicial complex for a little period to prevent police entry inside complex.

The high officials of different bars announced that strike would be observed on Friday and Saturday too.

The President District Bar and Secretary talked to The Express Tribune and said they were protesting on one-point agenda and that was registration of case against the civil judge. They said their protest was peaceful while locking down courts was also under consideration.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 5^th, 2019.