The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to take action against all offices located in urban areas of the capital including 27 embassies, PPP’s office, schools, office of Inspector General Motorways and Inspector General Police Islamabad within two week as per rules and regulations.
The SC also strictly directed the civic agency chairman not to give exemption based on personal likes or dislikes and any other influence.
During the hearing, the apex court remarked that the court gives respect to all but would ensure implementation of law and order at every cost, adding that if the High Court has granted a stay order to schools and others then it should decide this case immediately.
Sardar Latif Khosa, the prosecutor of PPP ensured the apex court that the residence of party’s chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari would not be used as the party’s office or secretariat, and assured that PPP would vacate its office within one week.
Justice Ejaz Afzal of SC said that during the hearing that if PPP’s office exists at present venue for the last many years then it means that it had been violating the law for last many years. Law establishes civilised manners in the society. “The court is not a legislative body; we have to explain the law and constitution. One should approach the parliament in case of any problem. IG Motorway and IG Islamabad Police both are guards of law and they would not be allowed to violate the law,” he said.
The CDA on Thursday presented its report before the two-judge bench of apex court, which says that all the political parties have vacated their party’s offices except PML-Q and PPP. As many as 140 offices have been vacated voluntarily, 27 sealed and 352 out of 1,339 offices have sought stay order from High Court.
Sardar Latif Khosa informed the apex court that he has submitted two applications; one about to become party in one case while second was against the operation. The party of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was not allowed to setup its office.
Aslam Khaki said that beauty parlours should be exempted from action since even our religion has permitted one to do makeup. Justice Ejaz remarked on this occasion that we could not do anything in case of any clash. Aslam Khaki said that CDA was asked to remove everything; on this, the court said that we did not order it to remove everything. Aslam Khaki said that bench of apex court headed by Justice Muslim Mirani had asked to remove everything, adding that if any law of CDA apply then it should be allowed. Aslam Khaki said that primary educational institutions and beauty parlours should be allowed to continue their business.
Shahid Hamid appeared before the two-judge bench of apex court and informed that the report has been presented in the court. The civic agency worked in the affairs of seven political parties adding that party offices of Jamiat-e-Islami and PTI have been sealed while ruling PML-N has vacated its party’s office voluntarily.
“There were two party offices of PPP, one in sector F-8 which is also called Zardari House and being used a residence of party’s chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari; therefore, no action has been taken against it,” Shahid Hamid added and maintained that only PPP was resisting and vacating its office. The administration of the civic agency also imposed a fine on PPP on April 14, 2015. They also resisted efforts to seal the premises and a case would be registered against them.
Shahid Hamid further spoke about the report and said that contact with the Ministry of Interior had been made, and it had been requested to ask the FIA, NADRA chairman and others to vacate their offices. The NADRA chairman has assured that he will vacate the office within one month. IG Islamabad was resisting. The CDA chairman has summoned both the IGs to seek an explanation from them.
“As many as 27 non-confirming offices have been sealed due to which a large number of people have started to vacate their offices. Some 140 people including even petitioner Ali Reza have vacated their offices voluntarily,” the counsel of CDA informed the apex court and added that we have contacted with Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding vacation of buildings that belong to of 27 embassies.
The counsel of PML-Q appeared before the court and informed that only employees and guests lives in the party’ s office and this building was not being used as the party’s secretariat.
Sardar Latif Khosa prayed the apex court to delete the remarks about PPP, which was accepted.
The court has adjourned the hearing for the two weeks.