SHC bars commercial activities at police stations

Sindh High Court (SHC) has ordered the police to stop commercial activities on police station lands. Justice Zafar Ahmed Rajput, heading a two-member bench, heard the petition.

The court expressed anger over the commercial activities being carried out on police station lands and asked how many police stations were involved in such activities.

The IG Sindh, Ghulam Nabi Memon, admitted that 1,920 properties had been established on 32 locations in 16 districts across the province. The court remarked, if anyone has obtained a stay order, it should be lifted immediately. The court ordered the police to stop commercial activities on police station lands and sought a report on the matter.

The petitioner's lawyer, Mahmood Alam Rizvi Advocate, argued that the police were trying to increase the rent by 15-20 times and were using blackmailing tactics to pressurise. He said that there was an 11-month rent agreement, which is renewed every year.

Meanwhile, Sindh High Court Election Tribunal has sought responses from both parties on the request of independent candidate Khurram Sher Zaman who contested the NA-241 seat.

The tribunal heard Zaman's petition against declaring Mirza Ikhtiyar Baig successful from NA-241 constituency.

The tribunal inquired about Marza Ikhtiyar Baig's response. Baig's counsel stated that he was out of the country and requested time to submit a response.

The tribunal adjourned the hearing until May 14, asking both parties for their responses.

Zaman claimed in the petition that he was declared unsuccessful due to fraud by the returning officer in NA-241. Marza Ikhtiyar Baig of the Pakistan Peoples Party was declared successful from NA-241.

Zaman, while talking to the media said that the Honourable Justice Judge Adnan Chaudry has given Baig, a last and final chance to appear before the tribunal on May 14 or submit a reply. The judge has warned that a decision will be taken on the NA-241 Election Tribunal case in Baig's absence if he fails to comply.

The PTI Core Committee member expressed concerns that Baig was avoiding the Election Tribunal hearings because he knew that he had lost the election in NA-241 by a margin of 60,000 votes.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 4^th, 2024.