Apropos historical decision by Supreme Court of Pakistan ordering a powerful Land Developer, who over years in connivance with corrupt federal and provincial public office holders became more powerful than state, occupying private and state land at will. This decision by SC to bar work on Bahria Town land, irregularly allotted by MDA in Karachi should jolt those who consider elected public office as a license to commit irregularities without any restrictions. Starting with Musharraf’s rule, blatant abuses and gross irregularities have been regularised illegally, because State has abdicated its powers to criminals. Huge profits from real estate have blinded state institutions to their responsibilities and this has promoted criminal economy with disastrous consequences for national economy, environment and public interest.
It is a blot on democracy that elected government and public office holders instead of being custodians and guardians of state or private lands and national exchequer have assumed role of abusers, facilitating criminals in heists and money laundering. When law becomes hostage to criminals than things go haywire and in Islamabad even DHA in collaboration with Land Mafia floated DHA Valley where thousands of innocent citizens have been robbed of their savings, waiting since 2011 to get possession. Citizens of Pakistan are no longer considered eligible for state welfare, especially in allotment of residential plots in CDA, which is evident from blatant disregard to rights of successful recipients of General Balloting of plots in E-12/4 conducted in 1989 and still wait possession even after having paid all required installments.
Unfortunate reality is that so called lawyers of repute, often portraying themselves as guardians of constitution, democracy, rule of law and human rights are party to these illegalities reminding us of the role of Consigliere in Mario Puzo’s Godfather. Nobody including elected government or sensitive institutions have a right to illegally possess state or private land, making mockery of laws and constitution, depriving citizens of their basic rights. The State must act with all its force to put a stop to these illegalities, synonymous of a banana republic.
Ali Malik Tariq
LAHORE