The Peshawar High Court has imposed a fine of Rs10,000 on the Peshawar Development Authority (PDA) for failing to present legal counsel during a hearing on a petition challenging the non-allotment of residential plots to employees of the Local Government and PDA.
The case was heard by Justice Syed Arshad Ali and Justice Faheem Wali. During the proceedings, no lawyer appeared on behalf of the PDA. The court was informed that the lawyer previously assigned to the case had been removed from PDA's legal panel.
Representing the petitioners, Advocate Mumtaz Ahmed informed the court that his clients are employees of the PDA and Local Government, and as per court rulings and official regulations, they are entitled to plot allotments. However, the PDA has yet to allocate these plots.
A PDA representative explained that the absence of legal counsel was due to the fact that a new legal panel had not yet been constituted. Seeking more time, the official requested a delay.
In response, Justice Arshad Ali remarked, "Are we here to wait for your panel decisions? You create panels at will and dissolve them at will. We are imposing a penalty and giving you one last opportunity."
The court subsequently fined the PDA Rs10,000 for failing to present a lawyer and ordered the authority to ensure legal representation at the next hearing.
On the other hand, PHC has ordered the issuance of Pakistan Origin Cards (POCs) to two Afghan nationals married to Pakistani women, upon fulfillment of all necessary legal requirements. The court disposed of the writ petition after passing the directive.
The case was heard by a two-member bench.
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