IHC allows Punjab Rangers to stay at WDC

Islamabad High Court has allowed the Punjab Rangers to stay at Women Development Complex (WDC) in Tarlai, Islamabad.

Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani also directed the commissioner office and the ministry of interior to conclude the work on a proposed PC-1 for the scheme titled ‘Construction of Women’s

Development Center at Rural Development Markaz, Tarlai, Islamabad’ within the period of three months.

The bench on Monday announced the reserved judgment after following the arguments by the litigants in a plea seeking restoration of the Women Development Complex, Tarlai, in its original form.

Earlier, on July 26, the chief commissioner office submitted the PC-1 before the court during the pendency of the petition stating that government proposed PC-1 for the scheme titled

‘Construction of Women’s Development Center at Rural Development Markaz Tarlai, Islamabad’ with the cost of Rs 59.843 million which would be an alternative place for them.

In its detailed order, Justice Kayani said that the chief commissioner office, ministry of interior and government have taken positive steps to protect the rights of all those women who will attend the vocational training courses in future.

The court further noted that the responsibility imposed upon the state has been performed in the right manner. In addition, the order read that “the court is satisfied” with the steps taken by respondents in order to protect the rights under Article 25 and 25-A of the constitution.

“No violation of fundamental rights has been observed,” adding that it is admitted that right to life is also a fundamental right in the constitution and the state has to provide proper security arrangements in ICT, the Bench stated in its order.

The court said that the requirement of Punjab Rangers is indispensable in the prevailing circumstances, adding that it is also apparent and observed that terrorist attacks have been dropped due to special measures adopted by the government and deployment of Rangers in the capital territory is one of the key reasons in this regard.

In the petition, Shakeel Ahmed Janjua, through his counsel Yasir Mehmood, alleged that the ministry of interior and chief commissioner offices illegally provided the building to Punjab Rangers for accommodation.

He said the applications were submitted before the ministry of interior and chief commissioner in April for a redress of the grievances, but the respondents did not pay any heed.

He said that due to the occupancy of Punjab Rangers, the women of the rural areas of Islamabad are deprived from getting the vocational training.

Petitioner said that under the law, an education institution could not be used for any other purpose.

Petitioner has prayed to the court to direct Punjab Rangers to vacate WDC and ministry of interior and chief commissioner Islamabad may be directed to arrange an alternative place for them.

He has also prayed the court to direct the respondents to restore the WDC in its original form and again initiate the vocational courses for women in rural areas.