CJP says construction of Imran’s Bani Gala residence seems illegal

• SC  asks Imran to submit 2 million as possible regularisation money

• PTI chief denies forgery allegations

ISLAMABAD: The apex court on Tuesday remarked that Imran Khan’s Bani Gala residence map was not approved and declared the construction of residence illegal.

A three member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar heard the case pertaining to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief’s residence in Islamabad and encroachments in Bani Gala area.

The CJP told Khan’s counsel Babar Awan that documents provided by Imran Khan regarding his Bani Gala residence are not correct, adding that the construction is illegal in his opinion.

He warned that that single law will be made for everyone in Bani Gala, adding that Imran Khan will face the same consequences like others would be facing.

On this, Babar Awan denied any malpractice or lie, asking the court to check the signatures of the union council (UC) secretary. He maintained that his client would never indulge in malpractices for some money.

Awan added that his client had obtained a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the construction of his house in Bani Gala from the then Sohan Union Council Secretary Muhammad Umar in 2003. “We approached the UC for the approval of map and the secretary concerned and he approved the application of Imran Khan,” he added.

However, Umar had denied the issuance of any such document.

Nevertheless, the CJP assured that the court will not demolish anyone’s construction, asking Imran’s lawyer to submit Rs2 million for precaution in case regularisation is required. Later the hearing was adjourned till March 13.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairperson Imran Khan denied allegations of forging the documents regarding the construction of his Bani Gala residence in Islamabad.

On February 28, Additional Attorney General (AAG) Nayyar Rizvi while submitting a report in the Supreme Court had said that he could not verify the no-objection certificate (NoC) submitted by the Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman for the construction of his residence in the federal capital.

Last year, the apex court was informed of over a hundred illegal structures, including the PTI chief’s residence in Bani Gala by the Capital Development Authority (CDA). On the February 22 hearing, Imran’s counsel in lieu of the court’s directions had submitted Bani Gala estate’s building plans.