The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Wednesday summoned the Deputy Commissioner (DC) and Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Peshawar in connection with the long-standing Afghan Market land dispute.
The case was heard by Chief Justice SM Attiq Shah, who presided over a single-member bench. During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner informed the court that his client had been granted ownership rights to the Afghan Market land through a decree dating back to 1974, but had never been given possession.
Chief Justice Shah remarked that despite having a court decree, the petitioner had been unable to secure possession. "There are existing court orders regarding Afghan Market, yet you are still unable to enforce them. You cannot even take possession in your own country," he observed.
Additional Advocate General told the court that the local tehsildar had recently visited the site and conducted measurements, but extensive constructions had already been carried out there. The Chief Justice asked whether these structures were legal or illegal and directed that both the DC and CCPO appear before the court.
After a short adjournment, the CCPO and Additional Deputy Commissioner appeared. The Chief Justice questioned the CCPO if he understood the reason for being summoned and instructed him to study the case file at the Advocate General's Office. "We want you to resolve this matter in the shortest possible time," he said.
The court expressed displeasure over the absence of the Deputy Commissioner, with the Additional Deputy Commissioner explaining that the DC was busy at the Chief Secretary's Office. Justice Shah ordered immediate contact with the DC and directed that he appear before the court the same day.
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