Verdict reserved in Muslim Colony case

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court has reserved its verdict on the Capital Development Authority's (CDA) application seeking vacation of the stay order on its operation in Muslim Colony, located in the federal capital.

Justice Inam Amin Minhas observed that using bulldozers without issuing prior notices was inappropriate and that legal requirements should have been fulfilled. Justice Inam Amin Minhas heard the CDA's petition.

Counsel for the affected residents of Muslim Colony argued that despite the court's stay order, the operation was continued ruthlessly, forcing people into extreme distress.

He claimed that residents were attempting suicide, including a lady constable, and pointed out that the area houses a population of over 30,000 with more than 3,000 homes.

The judge reiterated that carrying out an operation without serving notices was improper and stressed that due legal process should have been followed.

CDA's counsel, Kashif Malik, submitted that a similar case had already been decided by a single-member bench and alleged that facts had been concealed from the court. After hearing the arguments, the court reserved its verdict on the application.