The Supreme Court took stern action against the misuse of defense lands for commercial purposes and illegal construction in Karachi.
During the hearing of a case against commercial activities on defense lands, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa strongly condemned the establishment of marriage halls and other businesses on army-allocated land, calling it a violation of their mandate.
Justice Isa directly addressed the attorney general for Pakistan (AGP), demanding assurances that the army would refrain from such commercial activities in the future. He emphasized the importance of everyone adhering to their designated roles and reminded the army to focus solely on its defense responsibilities.
"The army should do its job, and the courts should do their job," CJP Isa remarked. The AGP said the principle is that everyone should do their own thing.
The building from which the dispute started belongs to the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), said the ETPB lawyer. Allottees transferred the land in their own names on fake documents and sold it, and now there is a five-storey building on that spot, he added.
“When the five-storey building was being built, was the ETPB acting as a spectator?” Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar questioned. At this, the CJP remarked that illegal constructions were not possible without the connivance of the Sindh Building Control Authority.
The CJP further criticized the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) for turning a blind eye to illegal constructions. He ordered an investigation into the assets of SBCA inspectors, senior officials, and audit of assets of Karachi sub-registrars by the FBR, suspecting connivance and corruption. He even suggested confiscating any ill-gotten assets in excess of income and using them to compensate residents affected by the demolitions.
Justice Isa expressed his reservations about the Sindh government's ability to conduct a fair inquiry and held the SBCA accountable for its delayed issuance of building completion certificates. He also stressed the importance of displaying building approval details publicly during construction to prevent illegal activities.
