SHC orders recovery of missing persons
The Sindh High Court has ordered immediate recovery of all missing persons and submission of progress reports on petitions for their recovery.
A two-member bench headed by Justice Naimatullah Phulpoto heard the petitions for the recovery of missing persons.
Ali Mehdi, a victim of the alleged forced disappearance, has been missing for three years, his sister told the court.
"A JIT was formed to trace Ali Mehdi, but they could not find the whereabouts of my brother. What crime has my brother committed that he is not even being produced before the court?" the victim's sister said.
The court expressed annoyance over the non-recovery of missing citizens. Justice Phulpoto remarked, "Say whatever you want. We are ready to listen to what you have to say."
Justice Phulpoto inquired about the SHO of the area concerned when the citizen went missing. The court directed the then SHO to appear before the JIT and record his statement.
The court ordered immediate recovery of all the missing persons. The court directed to contact the KPK detention centers for the recovery of missing citizens. The court sought a progress report on the recovery of missing citizens at the next hearing.
Illegal construction
The Sindh High Court has issued notices to the Sindh Building Control Authority DG, the landlord and builder on a petition against illegal constructions in Azam Basti area of Mahmoodabad.
A two-member bench comprising Justice Zafar Ahmed Rajput and Justice Muhammad Faisal Kamal Alam heard the petition. The petitioner's counsel stated that a four-storied building was being constructed in Azam Basti with no approved plan. "The SBCA has failed to fulfill its responsibilities," the counsel maintained.
The court issued notices to the SBCA DG, landlord Kamal and the builder.
Relocation of evictees
The Sindh High Court (SHC) has summoned the Secretary Local Government on a petition seeking alternative accommodation for the victims of Lyari Expressway Resettlement Project (LERP).
A two-judge bench comprising Justice Zafar Ahmed Rajput and Justice Muhammad Faisal Kamal Alam heard the petition.
The court remarked that petitions of Lyari Expressway victims are coming before us daily. The court expressed frustration over non-appointment of the project director.
Justice Rajput remarked that the situation is very sad. "Should people think that the institution closed its office and ran away?" Justice Rajput remarked.
The counsel for LERP argued that the project director was not there and that only a clerk was working in the office.
Justice Rajput while addressing the deputy attorney general remarked, "Who will resolve these land disputes? If the project is completed, an office should be there for resolving the land disputes.
The deputy attorney general stated that the Sindh chief secretary has been asked to consider the situation. The court summoned the secretary local bodies on December 22.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 17th, 2021.