Justice Sattar asked to vacate Islamabad residence

The Estate Office has given Peshawar High Court (PHC) Judge Justice Babar Sattar 24 hours to vacate his official residence in the federal capital after cancelling its allotment following his transfer from the Islamabad High Court (IHC), according to an official memorandum.

The Judicial Commission of Pakistan approved Justice Sattar's transfer from the IHC to the PHC on April 28.

According to the latest notice, Justice Babar Sattar had been "graciously" allowed time until August 3 to vacate the accommodation.

"As the stipulated period has since expired, it is requested that the necessary arrangements may kindly be made to vacate the above-mentioned accommodation within 24 hours, to facilitate further administrative action," the memorandum, issued by the Estate Office on Thursday, states.

It is learnt that Justice Babar Sattar has already begun vacating the official residence.

Lawyers have questioned the decision, arguing that if judges are permitted to retain an official residence in another city, Justice Babar Sattar should not have been given a deadline to vacate the house. They also contend that the chief justices of the PHC and the Supreme Court should have intervened in the matter.