Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Tree cutting and unauthorised constructions have been reduced in Bani Gala due to the intervention of Supreme Court of Pakistan. This was stated by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s counsel during the hearing of a suo moto case.

The SC had taken notice over a letter written by PTI chief Imran Khan pointing out “municipal lawlessness” in the area of Bani Gala and encroachments in Botanical Garden.

Daily Times was the first one to highlight that Imran Khan’s own residence in Bani Gala lacked a legal cover and was situated in Margalla Hills National Park Area.

Subsequently, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) also endorsed the point and declared the residence of Imran Khan as illegal.

The same case was again fixed before a three-member bench headed by the chief justice of Pakistan on Thursday. The legal counsel of Imran Khan, Dr Babar Awan, appeared in the court and praised the role of SC. He informed the court that illegal tree cutting and unauthorised constructions had been reduced due to the court’s intervention.

The CDA Planning and Design member submitted a survey report in the court. The report stated that a total of 2,206 residential and commercial buildings had been constructed in Banigala and Malpur, where construction was prohibited.

According to the document submitted in the SC, there are 1,225 residential houses and 165 commercial buildings in Banigala, 209 buildings at the Banigala Hill Top and 301 residential and six commercial buildings in Malpur.

The survey report also stated that CDA had leased out around 60 acres of land in the Lake View Park area to various commercial entities for nominal charges.

The civic body had leased out 10 acres of land in Lake View Park to a company, 2F2F, owned by Hassan Humayun for 15 years, 25 acres of land to ESP Initiative Company owned by Muhammad Maalik and a company named Trendy was given 1.24 acres for 15 years.

Battle Field of Atif Rafi was leased 1.83 acres for 15 years and ABS Progressive was given 6.53 acres. The Rock was leased 1.50 acres for 30 years and the Horse and Horseman was given 10 acres for 15 years.

Private companies including F-1 Track, Development Aid and Revive Entertainment were also given 15 year land leases. Another company, Fun & Joy of Malik Aizaz, was given a lease of 30 years.

The chief justice said that it was important to ascertain whether the leases were according to the law.

The court directed the CDA to provide a copy of its survey report to Imran Khan’s counsel for further deliberation and adjourned the proceedings till the third week of June, 2017.