The attorney general has been asked to guarantee Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa that the army will handle defense-related tasks only and not engage in commercial operations.
At a hearing for a petition opposing commercial activities conducted on military property, CJP Isa was asked for the assurance.
CJP Isa said during the hearing that the army was using military property for marriage halls and was conducting commerce. Next, he asked the attorney general to guarantee that the army will continue to act as the “protector” and not engage in commercial activity.
“Can you obtain this guarantee?” CJP Isa put the question to the AG. He also mentioned that each person should carry out their assigned tasks.
CJP Isa stated, “The army should do its own work and courts will do their job.”
AGP Mansoor Usman Awan responded by saying that everyone should, in theory, fulfill their job.
CJP Isa, however, argued that the AGP need to provide the court with the assurance if he received the instructions.
At this juncture, the lawyer for the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) entered the courtroom and informed the judge that his client owned the building where the issue originated. He continued by saying that a five-story skyscraper currently stands where the allottees sold the land using fictitious documentation.
Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar said at this point that the ETPB was only a bystander during the construction of the five-story structure.
But CJP Isa noted that without the Sindh Building Control Authority’s (SBCA) assistance, it would not have been feasible. He continued by saying that the SBCA officers’ assets who held positions higher than inspector should be examined.
The FBR ought to audit the assets of the Karachi sub register as well. The CJP stated, “Money from all assets beyond means should be given to the residents of demolished buildings.” Furthermore, he said, the government of Sindh will never look into this.
When the SCBA’s director general appeared in court on this issue, the CJP asked how many inspectors and policemen worked for the agency.
The DG told the court that the SCBA presently employs 1,400 people, of whom 600 work as building inspectors and 300 as senior inspectors.
I am a dedicated student currently in my seventh semester, pursuing a degree in International Relations. Alongside my academic pursuits, I am actively engaged in the professional field as a content writer at the Rangeinn website.