IHC reserves decision on PTI secretariat de-sealing, calls for consultation between parties

IHC directed Metropolitan Corporation to consult with PTI, noting that political party's office should not be sealed

Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the Metropolitan Corporation to consult with the PTI to resolve the issue of de-sealing its central secretariat.

Earlier in May, The Capital Development Authority (CDA) sealed the PTI Central Secretariat located in Sector G-8/4 of the federal capital for violating building by-laws as part of its crackdown on illegal constructions and encroachments.

Later on June 14, the secretariat was de-sealed, however, it was short-lived. Last week, The central office was sealed once again, this time due to inadequate fire and life safety arrangements.

Read IHC orders de-sealing PTI’s central secretariat

During the hearing against the Metropolitan Corporation's decision to seal the PTI Secretariat, Justice Imtiaz questioned if a notice had been issued before the sealing. The Metropolitan Corporation's lawyer presented public notices from 2017 and 2018.

Justice Imtiaz remarked that showing notices from 2017 and 2018 and sealing the building in 2024 is questionable. She urged both parties to consult and resolve the issue amicably, noting that a political party's office should not be sealed in such a manner.

The Metropolitan Corporation's lawyer responded that the building would be de-sealed if the required safety measures are implemented. PTI's lawyer, Latif Khosa, assured the court that the safety measures would be completed within fifteen days.

The court instructed Sardar Latif Khosa and the Metropolitan Corporation's lawyer to resolve the matter through consultation and reserved the decision on the request to de-seal the PTI Secretariat.