- CJP says as many as 15 intelligence agencies checked slums and reported that there was no terrorist living there
- Afghans allowed living in country for two more years while Pakistanis being denied living in 40-year-old abodes, Justice Khan laments
Approving Abid Hussan Minto’s petition, the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Wednesday ordered the authorities to stop the ongoing operation against slums in the federal capital.
During the hearing, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Jawad S Khawaja issued notices to the federal government, Capital Development Authority (CDA) and capital administration, seeking details of the operation and other matters.
The apex court also directed the federal and provincials governments to submit the details of their housing policies. The court also sought the details of daily books and cases lodged against the slums dwellers in various police stations of the federal capital.
Speaking on the occasion, CJP Khawaja asked as to why substitute places were not given to the dwellers of slums which have been set up for the last four decades.
“CDA is not the king who can do whatever it wants. From now onwards, CDA should not touch any slum,” he said, pointing towards the misery of 15,000 to 17,000 slum dwellers.
In his remarks, Justice Dost Muhammad Khan lamented that illegally residing Afghan refugees had been allowed to stay in the country for two more years while Pakistani citizens were not being allowed to live in slums which have been set up for the last four decades.
On the occasion, CDA and the federal government informed the court that operation to demolish the slums was conducted on the order of Islamabad High Court.
Upon asked about the rationale behind the operation, the attorney general cited security concerns.
The CJP remarked that as many as 15 intelligence agencies checked these slums and reported that there was no terrorist living there.
The petitioner informed the apex court that a citizen filed an application in IHC to seek permission to get Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC). In return, the IHC ordered the local administration to demolish the slum through operation.
The petitioner added that some slums were 30 to 40 years old. If the city is extending then the government should provide a substitute residence for the poor before demolishing their houses, he said, terming the action “severe violation of human rights and matter of basic importance”.
The CJP agreed that it was a matter of public and human rights importance and said that he wanted to hear it in detail. The apex court adjourned the hearing till August 31.
