‘Operation violation of court order’
The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) on Wednesday demolished what it described as illegal constructions on the premises of the Wilayat Complex, which is owned by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Senator Chaudhry Tanveer Khan.
In an operation launched at 10am, the civic authority razed four marquees, a food court and a four-storey building constructed on a 20-Kanal thoroughfare, said an RDA official.
Soon after the action, Khan’s son Barrister Daniyal Chaudhry termed it an act of political revenge and a violation of a stay order which they had been obtained from the court. “It is a contempt of court,” said Daniyal, requesting the chief justice of Pakistan to take notice of the incident.
He said the authorities had carried out “the illegal operation” without giving them notice. “Properties worth millions of rupees have been destroyed in the operation. Scores of people have lost their businesses and jobs just in a day.”
Talking to the media, he said his father was the fifth or sixth owner of the land and that he had paid Rs1.6 million for its regularisation. “People have been living here since 1947.”
He claimed the administration did not have “a single document to prove” its case against them. “If the administration shows a single official paper which proves that this is a government land, I will let them demolish all constructions here.”
He alleged the operation was carried out on the order of the Punjab chief minister. “We seek support from the legal fraternity. We will definitely move the high court against this political harassment.”
Senator Khan's lawyer Yasir said the administration was politically targeting the family.
On the other hand, Rawalpindi Additional Deputy Commissioner revenue Captain (retd) Muhammad Shoaib said they were not aware of any stay order in the matter of the Wilayat Complex. “The operation was carried out after declaring the constructions as illegal.”
According to details, the RDA yesterday declared illegal the constructions on Plot No 25,26,27,28,29,37,38 in the Wilayat Complex owned by Senator Khan and issued orders for their demolition.
On the direction of RDA Chairman Tariq Mahmood Murtaza, the operation was launched at 10 am with a heavy contingent of police and civil defence personnel, under the supervision of RDA Additional Deputy Commissioner revenue Captain (retd) Muhammad Shoaib and RDA Director Shehzad Haider.
Using heavy machinery, they demolished four marquees, a food court and a four-storey building on seven disputed plots. “All legal requirements were met before demolition,” said an RDA official.
“On the instructions of Prime Minister Imran Khan, RDA Director General Chaudhry Maqbool Ahmed has directed the land and building control wing to stop constructions of illegal plazas, shops and schools,” the official said, adding action had been ordered against all unauthorised commercial and residential construction activities.