SHC seeks reply on contempt notice in Frere Hall case

Directs deputy attorney general to submit reply on setting up firing range on land of 83 villages

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has summoned former director encroachment Bashir Siddiqui and directed DG Parks Junaid Ullah and Azra Muqeem to submit their replies on the contempt of court petition against the construction in Frere Hall.

The petitioner's counsel during his arguments said that the court has sent the matter to the SHC Chief Justice (CJ) for further action. The CJ has again referred the matter to the single bench.

The lawyer maintained that, a two-member bench has suspended the contempt of court proceedings against Bashir Siddiqui and others. The court adjourned the hearing for indefinite period.

The court on June 20 had ordered to demolish the constructions within the premises of the Frere Hall.

The KMC used delaying tactics to implement the court orders besides filing an appeal against the Sindh High Court's single bench decision.

Illegal construction

The SHC on a petition against the construction of a portion of 400 square yards on a plot in Nazimabad, has ordered the DG, SBCA to conduct an inquiry, submit the inquiry report within 30 days and take action against the officers who allowed this illegal construction.

The court remarked that what action was taken against the SBCA officers, who approved this illegal construction map? Don't you people inspect the site when the construction is going on?

The SBCA officers involved in permitting this illegal construction have no right to remain on the job, the court remarked.

A two-member bench headed by Justice Syed Hassan Azhar Rizvi heard the petition.

The petitioner's counsel in his arguments said that the court should order the SBCA to demolish this illegal construction with immediate effect.

The SBCA officials could not give a satisfactory answer to the court.

Justice Syed Hassan Azhar Rizvi remarked that people buy these illegal portions by spending millions of rupees.

Firing range near Goths

The SHC has sought a reply from the Deputy Attorney General on the petition against the alleged inclusion of 83 Goth's land in the construction of Main Field Firing Range in District Malir's settlement of Bin Qasim.

A two-member bench headed by Justice Syed Hassan Azhar Rizvi, heard the petition.

The petitioner's counsel informed the court that 156 acres of land has been made part of the firing range.

The federal interior ministry made a field firing range adjacent to these Goths being established in three Union Councils (UC's) in Bin Qasim settlement of Malir.

The petitioner's counsel in his arguments said that, a field firing range cannot be constructed in a residential area as per law. He said that the field firing range should be shifted elsewhere from the residential area.

The court remarked that why did you make the Corps Commander a party in this petition?

The court asked, Can the Corps Commander be made a party in a constitutional petition?

The petitioner counsel in his reply said, "Yes, the Corps Commander can be made a party in a constitutional petition.

The court after hearing the stance of petitioner's counsel, sought the reply from the Deputy Attorney General.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 17^th, 2022.