ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) Tuesday issued notices to the Punjab government, provincial forest department, National Accountability Bureau, Environmental Protection Agency and Rawalpindi commissioner in Bahria Town implementation case and also ordered to ensure presence on May 14.
A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed comprising Justice Faisal Arab and Justice Munib Akhtar heard the case regarding implementation of the apex court verdict.
During the course of proceedings, the court also sought replies from the Punjab government and others over Bahria Town’s offer to pay Rs50 billion for the land where its projects were in Rawalpindi and Murree.
The bench also rejected the exemption plea of Malik Riaz’s son Ali Riaz Malik to appear on the next hearing and clarified that court would not hear the arguments about the matter rather it would implement its judgment.
Advocate Azhar Siddique – counsel for Ali Riaz – said his client had security threats and pleaded the court to exempt him from the appearance.
He said his client had to pay huge amount of Rs460 billion for projects in Karachi.
He said his clients was facing more security threats since the news about payment of huge amount spread.
He also pleaded the court to allow his client to submit affidavit in the London or Dubai embassy.
He said his client would also submit a formal application before the court regarding security threats.
Advocate Aitzaz Ahsan – counsel for Bahria Town – said Media Town, Pakistan Town, Judicial Town and many other projects were constructed on the forest land in Rawalpindi.
Later, the court directed the Punjab government to submit a report about grabbing of forest land.
On March 21, the apex court had accepted Bahria Town’s offer of Rs460 billion for its projects in Karachi and stopped the NAB for filing of reference.
The Bahria Town also offered to Pay Rs22 billion for the 5,472 kanal land in Rawalpindi and Rs23 billion for the 4,542 Kanal land in Murree.
The court issued notices and sought replies before adjourning the hearing till May 14.