Reply sought from Azam Khan in plots allotment case

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday again sought reply from five bureaucrats, including PM’s principal secretary, and other respondents including Ministry of Housing and Works in a case regarding allotment of plots.

Justice Mohsin Akhter Kayani conducted the hearing on a petition filed by former secretary cabinet Abu Ahmed Akif through his lawyer Munawar Iqbal Dogal.

However, no one appeared on behalf of respondents including PM’s Principal Secretary Azam Khan, Petroleum Division Secretary Mian Asad Hayauddin, Federal Board of Revenue Member Legal Fazal Yazdani, Shafqat Jalil and official of establishment division Ijaz Shah Wasti.

At this, the court ordered to implement it notices to the officers through secretary establishment division. The court observed that even no one appeared from the Ministry of Housing and Works.

The court also ordered the ministry to submit its reply on the next hearing. However, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) submitted its answer to the court. After this, the bench again served notices to respondents to seek reply till November 8.

The petitioner's lawyer had pleaded that that the Ministry of Housing and Works had issued a notice for allotment of plots to 23 officials. The lawyer argued that according to the rules of Federal Housing Foundation, plots were allotted on the basis of age and experience.

He told the court that his client had retired in grade-22 but was not given a plot yet while the above officers had been given plots.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 25^th, 2020.