SC irked over delay in Gutter Bagicha case

KARACHI:

The Supreme Court has ordered to hold the next hearing of the Gutter Bagicha case in Islamabad. The Gutter Bagicha case was heard before a bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Gulzar Ahmed and comprising Justice Qazi Muhammad Amin Ahmed at the Supreme Court Karachi Registry.

Administrator Karachi Murtaza Wahab appeared in the court. KMC Housing Society Chairman and other concerned officials also appeared in the court. KMC Housing Society Chairman said, “Our lawyer is on leave, respite should be given.”

The petitioner Amber Ali Bhai said that this has been happening for 25 years. The hearings to save the sewage fed urban forest devloped by the British in 1892 continue to be adjourned, he said. The British government had handed over 1048 acres of forest land along Lyari River to Karachi Municipality.

By 1969, it had shrunk to 1016 and today it has shrunk to less than 480 acres and remans under perpetual threat. Justice Qazi Muhammad Amin Ahmed remarked that delay tactics will not be allowed. he told the housing society that if you do not have a lawyer, you can run the case for yourself. The court is listening to you patiently, you can give arguments.

KMC Housing Society Chairman said that 200 acres of land was allotted to KMC Housing Society. The Chief Justice remarked that what was the authority of the local council to give municipal land? Mr Advocate General, under what rules was the land allotted?