Chief justice seeks CDA action report in Bani Gala encroachment case

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mian Saqib Nisar, during hearing of Bani Gala encroachment case, inquired about the steps taken by Capital Development Authority (CDA), ARY News reported on Tuesday.

“What’s the position of CDA at the moment”, the CJP asked during the hearing.

The chairman of the authority said he had received over 100 applications from residents and the process of regularization of the houses was underway.

Chief justice said Additional Attorney General, Nayyar Rizvi, was removed from the case. “Anyone who stands up for justice is thrown out,” remarked the CJP.

During the case hearing on Nov 13, additional attorney general presented the report on behalf of the Capital Development Authority. He told the court that map of the location showed four approved roads, but the plan was modified in 1960 and 2010 by the then authorities.

Additional Attorney General had told the court in the last hearing that the premier’s residence fell into Zone 3 and 4 of the area, adding that there was no drainage system in the streets of the Bani Gala and the buildings constructed were in violation of building safety rules.

He said a portion of green area was still left which could be saved from further construction.

The chief justice asked whether the authorities constructed roads and sewerage lines in the area. “It seems that the government has no plan for the area,” he added.

In the earlier hearing on Nov 1, the Supreme Court had ordered 65 persons including Prime Minister Imran Khan to regularize their properties in a case pertaining to the encroachments in Islamabad’s Bani Gala area.

The top judge had expressed his resentment at the Capital Development Authority for allowing such constructions to take place, and said he could not believe what was going on in administrative affairs of the authority.