CJ's intervention halts LHC's construction plans

High court stops construction at judicial complex on land forming part of historical Bagh-e-Safa

ISLAMABAD:

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has halted its plans for further construction at the Judicial Complex, situated in the land earmarked as a part of Bagh-e-Safa in Kalar Kahar, following the intervention of Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa.

It was learnt on Wednesday that the LHC registrar addressed a letter to the members of the colonies (Board of Revenue Punjab), stating that the court had been made aware of the allocation of approximately 16-K-kanal and 4-marlas of land, specifically Khewat No.1134, Khatoni No.2131, Khasra No.2563, in tehsil and district Chakwal.

This land had been allocated to the LHC for the establishment of a judicial complex.

“Therefore, this court is not willing to raise any construction as Rest House or Judicial Complex for the reason that allotted land is part of historical Bagh-e-Safa. Therefore, it is desired that process of cancellation of aforesaid land may be initiated,” the letter read.

Earlier, CJP Isa had taken notice of the construction of a judicial complex on the historical site.

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Supreme Court Registrar Jazeela Aslam wrote a letter to the LHC Registrar wherein a news report dated November 5 was referred that a judicial complex is being constructed in the land forming part of the Bagh-e-Safa, Kallar Kahar.

The SC Registrar's letter further said that the CJP directed her to inquire whether the news report was factually correct. “And if it is, please let me know: (1) Why is the land of an ancient park being converted? (2) And what happened to the 80 kanal land in Kallar Kahar earlier transferred to the Lahore High Court.”

The letter also sought complete details of the project and requisite approvals, including the building committee/administrative committee.

The letter urged the LHC Registrar to request the LHC chief justice that it may be appropriate to stop further work till the provision of the requested information.

CJP Isa sought an immediate response on this matter.