The Supreme Court was informed on Thursday that Prime Minister Imran Khan has applied for the regularisation of his residence in Bani Gala.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar resumed hearing the suo motu case against illegal constructions in the Bani Gala suburbs of the federal capital.
Additional Attorney General Nayyar Abbas Rizvi told the bench that Prime Minister Imran Khan had applied for regularisation of his Bani Gala properties. The premier’s residence falls into Zone 3 and 4 of the area, he said.
He further shared that there was neither drainage system in the streets of the Bani Gala area nor was there any provision for earthquakes in the constructions.
The chief justice expressed his annoyance at the Capital Development Authority (CDA) for allowing such constructions to take place, and said he could not believe what was going on at the authority.
“Meting out justice isn’t just the duty of the courts; CDA should do something as well,” Justice Nisar remarked. “Where was CDA when these constructions were taking place?” he questioned.
The top judge told the CDA chairman that he lacked clarity and needed to conduct surveys first. The CJP further directed the officials to regularise the 65 applications received so far and prepare a master plan for the rest. The court then adjourned the hearing for 10 days. During a previous hearing of the case, the chief justice had directed the prime minister to set an example for others by paying the fine for regularisation of his Bani Gala land. The Supreme Court had earlier ordered authorities to demolish all encroachments around Korang riverbed in the light of a report drafted by the Survey of Pakistan.
Published in Daily Times, November 2nd 2018.
