A ban on new constructions in the popular tourist destination of Murree has been challenged in a high court with the tehsil’s assistant commissioner directed to submit a detailed report on the matter.
This was directed on Tuesday as a bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindi-Bench, led by Justice Shahid Jamil, heard a petition challenging the bar imposed on new constructions in the area
During Tuesday’s hearing, Justice Jamil asked the Murree Tehsil assistant commissioner under what law had the ban on construction imposed.
He was further told to submit a response personally.
Sardar Abdul Khan told the court that the district administration had illegally banned all kinds of constructions in the Murree region.
Under the constitution of Pakistan, landowners have the right to use their land as they wish, he contended, noting that the restriction was a violation of Article 23.
The counsel said that neither the AC nor Municipal Committee had any authority to impose such a ban.
The court asked the assistant attorney general (AAG) and the legal adviser as to why was the construction ban imposed when no such existed.
The court further remarked that the people cannot be deprived of their basic rights.
Separately on Tuesday, the provincial cabinet approved a move to declare two wildlife parks in the district, including Vehari, Bahawalnagar, Loi Bher (Rawalpindi) and Bandra Galli (Murree) as zoological gardens and further decided to develop children and family parks in Shahdara along with transfer of 70-Kanal land for the purpose.
Late last month, the Supreme Court (SC) had directed the Punjab government to provide all facilities, including staff, for anti-encroachment drives in the popular hill station of Murree.
Justice Bandial remarked that no property in the hill station will be demolished until the Anti-Encroachment Commission hears all the affected people and submits its report. The court further instructed the Punjab government to fix an honorarium for the head of the commission.
Appearing on behalf of the Punjab government, Additional Advocate General (AAG) Faisal Chaudhry assured the court that all facilities required by the commission will be provided. Further, he identified that the Rawalpindi district administration, through the commissioner will ensure the provision of the relevant facilities including staff and equipment.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 9th, 2020.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ