SC orders to restore public park outside Dar's residence within 10 days

LAHORE: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Lahore Development Authority to restore a public park outside the residence on former Finance Minister Ishaq Dar within ten days.

Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar headed a three-member bench hearing a suo motu case regarding the alteration of the park in order to build a road leading to Dar’s house in Gulberg area. The CJP also ordered that the cost of the restoration should be recovered from Dar.

Justice Nisar expressed his displeasure and asked the director general LDA Zahid Akhtar Zaman on whose behest he uprooted a public park, who replied that he had received a verbal request from the former finance minister. 

The CJP lashed out at the DG LDA for being a “slave of the ministers” and that there was incriminating evidence against him, and that he could be prosecuted by the National Accountability Bureau for the offence.

The DG LDA offered an unconditional apology and requested the court not to forward the case to NAB. Justice Nisar dismissed the request saying that protests and strikes are held if cases are sent to NAB.

The apex court sent a notice to the LDA and the Ishaq Dar. It also ordered that posters should be placed declaring Dar as a fugitive and absconder.

A portion of the park near Dar’s residence had been uprooted to build a road which leads directly to his house which is prohibited for public use.

The chief justice had taken notice on Wednesday and sought explanation from DG LDA, deputy commissioner Lahore and the Punjab government asking as per what law the park been uprooted to build the road.