Dissolution of cantt boards challenged

RAWALPINDI:

A division bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC) in Rawalpindi on Tuesday admitted for regular hearing all petitions filed against the dissolution of the 43 Cantonment Boards across the country. The bench, comprising Justice Jawad Hassan and Justice Raza Ahmed Qureshi, also ordered that all the petitions be consolidated.

Notices had been issued to the Ministry of Defence, the federal government, the presidents of the Boards, and the Election Commission, with directions to submit clause-by-clause comments. The Deputy Attorney General had also been summoned. All petitions, now clubbed together, have been fixed for regular hearing from 8 December.

The petitions were filed by Malik Munir, former vice president of the Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB), Arshad Mahmood, former vice president of Wah Cantonment, and members of the Rawalpindi and Chaklala Cantonment Boards.

The court observed that the petitions raise questions of significant constitutional importance, warranting detailed adjudication.

The petitioners contend that the constitutional term of the Cantonment Boards is due to conclude on March 31, 2026, and that dissolving the boards four months prior to this date is unconstitutional, unlawful, and actuated by mala fide intent.