Suspending the Peshawar High Court order, the Supreme Court on Monday stopped the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) from investigating the Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project.
A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel and Justice Faisal Arab, heard the case filed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government against investigation by the FIA.
The apex court sought details of the total cost of the BRT project as well as details regarding the completion of the project. During the course of proceedings, the court asked the KP government counsel what the initial cost was and when would the project be completed. “What is the initial cost of the BRT? What was the initial date for the completion of the project? When will it be finished?”
Justice Bandial inquired. “Is there even a date for the completion of the project?” asked Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel.
The KP government’s counsel replied that the project would be completed by July 31, 2020. He pointed out the PHC had given a verdict which the petitioner had not even requested for.
Ordering the FIA to stop probing the project, the SC adjourned the hearing for an indefinite period. In December last year, a five-member special inquiry team of the FIA had started a probe into alleged irregularities in the Peshawar BRT project in line with the PHC’s directions.
After hearing three petitions related to the bus-transit system, a high court bench consisting of Chief Justice Waqar Ahmad Seth and Justice Ahmad Ali had directed the FIA on November 14, 2019, to probe the project in light of 35 points identified by it and act against delinquents if any found in the inquiry report to be compiled in 45 days. Following this, the KP government and Peshawar Development Authority (PDA) had moved the apex court against the verdict.
Separately, the Supreme Court (SC) on Monday conducted hearing into a case pertaining to irregularities in 56 companies set up by the Punjab government.
During the proceedings, Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed asked why these companies have not been closed yet, to which the advocate general replied that 37 out of 56 companies are benefiting the people. Responding to the argument, the top judge said, “You are trying to follow East India strategy.” “The government should perform its duties with a responsible attitude,” he observed. Subsequently, the hearing was adjourned for a month.