IHC summons MoF, CDA officials in contempt case

The Islamabad High Court on Tuesday summoned the additional finance secretary and the Capital Development Authority officials on Jan 10, 2024 in the contempt of court case regarding delay in the construction of the lawyers’ complex and non-provision of funds.

The complex was an old demand of the lawyer community. Since its establishment in 1960, there is no proper building for the district judiciary while lawyers had constructed their chambers mostly on encroached land.

IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq heard the request of the Islamabad Bar Association.

The court said that the additional finance secretary should come forward and explain why the funds were not provided for the lawyers' complex.

Law Secretary Raja Naeem Akbar said that many letters had been written for the provision of funds, even if the Ministry of Finance paid Rs300 million, their system would work. “The district bar is also asking for Rs30 million for the IT project.”

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Islamabad Bar Association President Qaiser Imam said that the law secretary had always cooperated. “We do not even want anyone to be sent to jail for contempt of court. We just want our work to be done.”

The chief justice remarked that he would call the Ministry of Finance and CDA on the next hearing and ask them.

During the hearing, Akbar, Imam, Islamabad Bar Association Secretary Rai Naveed Bhatti and Islamabad High Court Bar Association Secretary Rizwan Shabbir Kayani were present in the court room.

The hearing was adjourned till Jan 10, 2024.