Transparency: Verdict reserved on Aashiyana housing

LAHORE: Lahore High Court Chief Justice (CJ) Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry on Friday reserved judgment on a writ petition on Punjab government’s Ashiana Housing Scheme. The scheme was launched to provide inexpensive and adequate residential facility to low income people in the province. Additional Advocate General Hanif Khatana submitted that the draw for allotment of houses was transparent and its results had been made public on the internet. He said there had been no irregularity or deceit on the part of the government with regards to this scheme. Iftikhar Hussain moved the petition through Barrister Javed Iqbal Jafree. The petitioner alleged that the allotment was not transparent and fair as favourites were being given houses while deserving and needy people were left out. He said six months had lapsed but the results of the draw had not been made public. He contended that allotting housing on the basis of personal liking would not serve the purpose of the scheme. He prayed to the court to pass a direction to infuse transparency and equity in the scheme so that deserving people could benefit from it. After hearing the arguments, the CJ reserved verdict.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 24^th, 2011.