Railways ‘illegally’ used its 53 acres of land for housing project

SHC extends stay against fixing of sugarcane price

KARACHI:

Pakistan Railways has used 53 acres of its land to set up a housing society for its employees.

The land meant exclusively for railways purposes was turned into real estate against all rules and regulations, it was revealed during a hearing at the Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday.

An SHC has sought reply from Pakistan Railways Corporation Housing Society and others on the response of Sindh government regarding 53 acres of railway land adjacent to Safari Park in Gulistan-e-Jauhar.

A two-judge bench headed by Justice Zafar Ahmed Rajput heard the petition. Sindh Additional Advocate General Barrister Sheharyar Mehar informed the court about the government's decision.

Mehar stated that 53 acres of land was given to the Railways for railway purposes but the department did not use the land for the designated purpose.

"The Supreme Court has declared that railway land can only be used for the railway system," the AAG said. "We are taking back the land in the light of the decision of the Supreme Court.

Four acres of land has been recovered. More is being recovered," the AAG contended.

The court adjourned the hearing of the case till December 21.

Sugarcane price

The SHC has extended the restraining order against fixing price of sugarcane at Rs250 per 40kgs.

The court while extending the stay order adjourned the hearing of the case until December 15. The court also restrained the government from taking action against sugar mills.

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The petition was filed by 17 sugar mills including Mirpur Khas Sugar Mill and Habib Sugar Mill.

The petition argued that the Sindh government on November 4 issued a notification fixing the price of sugarcane at Rs250 per 40kgs. The cane commissioner hinted at taking action on the complaint of purchase at a price less than Rs250.

The price of sugarcane in Punjab has been fixed at Rs225 per 40kgs whereas in Sindh the price of sugarcane has been fixed at the highest rate.

Meanwhile, the Sindh High Court has directed the counsel of the farmers to provide copies of the petition and documents to the parties in the petitions pertaining to fixing of sugar prices and provision of subsidy by the provincial and federal governments.

A two-member bench headed by Chief Justice Sindh High Court Justice Ahmed Ali Sheikh heard the petitions seeking fixing of sugar prices and subsidy from the provincial as well as the federal government.

Advocate Mureed Ali Shah stated, "For the first time in history, the owners of sugar mills filed a civil suit and obtained restraining order.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 9^th, 2021.