ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa has requested assurance from the attorney general that the army will only work on defense affairs and will not conduct any commerce.
The assurance was sought from CJP Isa during a hearing on a petition filed against commercial activity on military land.
During the hearing, CJP Isa stated that the army was conducting business and had established marriage halls on military territory. He then requested assurance from the attorney general that the army would remain the “protector” and would not do any business.
“Can you get this assurance?” CJP Isa questioned the attorney general. He also stated that everyone should work according to their mandate.
“The army should do its own work and courts will do their job,” stated Supreme Court Justice Isa.
AGP Mansoor Usman Awan responded by stating that, in principle, everyone should fulfill their duty.
However, CJP Isa stressed that if the AGP had the directions, he should provide the court an assurance.
At this point, a lawyer for the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) interjected, informing the court that the building from which the dispute began belonged to his client. He went on to say that the allottees sold the land using forged paperwork, and today there is a five-story structure there.
At this point, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar stated that the ETPB was a bystander while the five-story structure was being built.
However, CJP Isa stated that it would not have been possible without the assistance of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA). He went on to say that officers over the rank of inspector at the SBCA should have their assets investigated.
“The FBR should also conduct an audit of the Karachi sub registry’s assets. The CJP stated that residents of demolished structures should receive compensation from all assets beyond their means. He further stated that the Sindh government will never conduct a probe into this.
On this issue, the SCBA’s director general appeared in court, and the CJP enquired about the department’s number of inspectors and officers.
The DG informed the court that the SCBA now has 1,400 employees, out of which 600 are building inspectors and 300 are senior inspectors.
