Arrest warrants out for three RDA officials

Senior Civil Judge Waqar Hussain Gondal on Tuesday issued arrest warrants for three officials of the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) in a case concerning the demolition of a farmhouse belonging to PTI MNA Sher Afzal Marwat during the February 2024 election campaign.

The judge has ordered that all three officials be taken into custody and produced before the court.

The RDA Director General had earlier declared Marwat's farmhouse illegal and ordered its demolition. The lawmaker subsequently filed a case, submitting the approved building plan and permit to the court in support of his claim.

However, the three officials concerned, Director Buildings Samiullah Khan, Superintendent Shafqat Mahmood and Area Inspector Shahzad Mahmood, have since failed to appear or pursue the case.

The senior civil judge has summoned the officers and demanded a written explanation, asking: on what basis was the farmhouse demolished, for what reason, and under whose orders?