The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered removing all the hurdles erected in embassies and urban areas in federal capital within 24 hours.
A two-member bench of SC headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja took up the case for hearing Tuesday.
The court while summoning Capital Development Authority (CDA) chairman has ordered if the hurdles are not removed within 24 hours then the CDA chairman will be sent home.
Justice Jawwad S Khawaja has remarked, “Embassies be told this is our country. Erecting hurdles in urban areas in the name of security cannot be allowed. General public is disturbed due to these hurdles. Either CDA does not want to do this job or it is under some one pressure. CDA was directed to remove 216 hurdles in Islamabad but chairman CDA says it cannot be done in a day. Steps be taken in this respect and report thereof be presented.”
“No institution including CDA is above law. People are facing much difficulty. Are the intelligence agencies above the law? Hurdles be removed or CDA should tell that its wings are burnt in initiating action against the government institutions. The CDA chairman should appear in the court today and satisfy the people and court.”
Justice Sarmad Jalal Usmani remarked, “If the embassies have security matters then they should shift to diplomatic enclave or make some other arrangement.”
The court was told during the course of hearing that hurdles erected in urban areas and by some government institutions have not been removed so far. Security has been provided to some embassies due to intelligence agencies.
Hurdles have also been raised and it is beyond CDA powers to remove them and the government can take any action with reference to it, the court was told.
While expressing resentment, Justice Jawwad S Khawaja remarked that if hurdles are not removed within 24 hours then the CDA chairman will be sent home.
The hearing of the case was adjourned till Tuesday, directing the CDA chairman to appear before it in person.
Will CDA do that really
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