The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a petition filed by a private construction company regarding the construction of a guest house for the Chief Minister and Governor of Balochistan in the Diplomatic Enclave.
The case was heard by a two-member bench comprising Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail and Justice Irfan Saadat Khan.
During the hearing, counsel for the private company argued that the caretaker Chief Minister of Balochistan had inaugurated the project, but the notification for its construction was later withdrawn. He submitted that the company had submitted an advance bank guarantee for the mobilisation of equipment and that the present petition concerned the return of that guarantee.
Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail observed that the matter was already pending before the trial court for arbitration. He remarked that the government was not absconding and was very much present, adding that the bank guarantee was valid until June 30, 2026.
The judge further noted that it was a caretaker government and it was possible that the relevant authorities had hurriedly installed the project’s foundation plaque. He also remarked that large investors were usually involved in such projects.
Justice Mandokhail recalled that the Islamabad High Court had also issued a stay order in the matter.
The court observed that the determination of expenses incurred by the company fell within the jurisdiction of the trial court and that the Supreme Court would not interfere at this stage.
Subsequently, the Supreme Court dismissed the petition of the private construction company and directed the trial court to decide the case independently, without being influenced by the Supreme Court proceedings.