The Islamabad High Court (IHC) in its written order revealed that the venal officials of Capital Development Authority (CDA) feared that the construction of the National Bus Terminal (NBT) in the capital would deprive them of ‘monthlies’ and illegal gratification.
“I have no doubt in my mind that with the construction of the National Bus Terminal in ICT, many employees of CDA may be deprived of their monthlies and illegal gratification,” reads the judgment.
While buckling down, Justice Siddiqui added, “I am certain that in establishing the National Bus Terminal, officials of CDA themselves are the hurdle and not any person(s).”
It is noted that the IHC’s Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui passed these orders on a petition filed by Transport Owners and Passengers’ Welfare Association against illegal bus stands and other encroachments operating on green belts at Faizabad with permission from the CDA.
Subsequently, Justice Siddiqui has ordered the chairman CDA to furnish a report revealing what measures are necessitated to build the NBT since the passage of a resolution of CDA Board on December 7, 2012.
In the CDA board meeting, it was decided that land measuring 31.03 acres was allocated for wagon-stands, bus terminals and stopovers in ICT. “A period of almost five years has elapsed, but no steps have been taken to bring that area into the reality of bus-stand,” Justice Siddiqui observed.
Justice Siddiqui observed it with great concern that 90 percent of encroachments or trespassing remains focused on persons belonging to the lower middle class adding that he is yet to witness any achievement of CDA against an upcoming major project or targetting the property of some influential person.
The court has directed the respondents to file a reply by October 4, the next date for the hearing.
Curiously, the court noted that the Director Municipal Administration CDA, Ali Suffian made a false statement before the court, which has now led to the initiation of contempt of court proceedings against him.
“It appears that this statement was made in order to mislead the court,” he stated, adding that it clearly falls within the ambit of contempt of court. As a result of this, the court has issued a show-cause notice to Suffian with directions to submit a reply within three days.
“Office is directed to make an independent file of the original criminal in this regard,” Justice Siddiqui stated. In response to court’s previous orders, Chairman CDA Sheikh Anser Aziz, CDA Member Administration Muhammad Yasir Pirzada, CDA Deputy Director Ghias Anwar, Deputy Commissioner/district magistrate Capt (retired) Mushtaq Ahmad, Superintendent of Police (City) Zubair Ahmed Sheikh and DSP Legal Azhar Hussain Shah appeared before the court.
It may be mentioned here that the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is also investigating a case against the officials of Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) over alleged corruption in advertisement department and has directed the CDA time and again to provide the details of allotment of advertisement boards of all types during the last six years, to examine, and find the irregularities, illegalities, but to no avail.
The order revealed that the official informed the court about the alarming issue of encroachments and inaction on the part of civic agency and ICT administration and their allied departments.
A reason for the inaction, as stated by the officials, was non-cooperation of ICT police in providing manpower and non-cooperation of the ICT administration.
When confronted with the district magistrate, he categorically stated that one magistrate shall be nominated, who shall be a part of every operation to be conducted by the CDA, in order to sort out the problem permanently. The name of the magistrate had to be communicated to the court within two days.
