Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan was informed on Friday that the Capital Development Authority (CDA) has served a notice to Prime Minister Imran Khan over illegal construction of his Bani Gala residence.

A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, was hearing a suo motu case pertaining to encroachments in the federal capital’s suburb, Bani Gala. The chief justice said that before expanding the scope of its activities to other encroachments, the CDA should first take action over any encroachments found in Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Bani Gala estate.

The bench was informed that the CDA has started issuing notices to those who erected buildings in violation of ICT Zoning Regulations 1992 and the prime minister was the first one to be served a notice. CJP Nisar said the premier should be the first person to take steps for regularisation of his property as per laws so as others may follow his example.

At the previous hearing, the chief justice directed the prime minister to lead by example by submitting a fee for regularisation of his Bani Gala residence.

“Notice was taken on a complaint by the prime minister himself. He will have to pay a fine before anyone else,” the top judge remarked.

The CJP had taken a notice of encroachments in Bani Gala on the request of the prime minister in May, 2017.

Subsequently, the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration submitted a report, informing the court that 122 illegal constructions in the area include a portion of Imran Khan’s 300 kanal residence.

Published in Daily Times, October 6^th 2018.