The Islamabad High Court has dismissed a petition challenging the cancellation of the One Constitution Avenue lease, upholding the Capital Development Authority’s (CDA) decision. The ruling confirms the legality of the lease termination and reinforces compliance with Supreme Court directives.
In a detailed written judgment, Chief Justice Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar ruled that the petitioner failed to meet financial obligations set by the Supreme Court. The court declared CDA’s March 8, 2023 order lawful, stating the authority acted within its rights after repeated non-compliance.
Read more: One Constitution Avenue — another CDA scheme against the owners
The judgment noted that the company did not fulfil payment conditions, including a Rs2.916 billion instalment due in 2022. The court also rejected the petitioner’s objections regarding procedural issues, including claims of flaws in the 30-day notice.
According to the ruling, the Supreme Court had restored the lease in 2019 with a condition to pay Rs17.5 billion over eight years. While the company paid the 2021 instalment, it defaulted on subsequent payments, leading to reminders, a notice in February 2023, and eventual cancellation in March.
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Separately, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi reiterated support for CDA’s stance, alleging large-scale irregularities linked to the case. He stated that those responsible for financial losses to the country should be held accountable through legal action.