PESHAWAR: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Athar Minallah on Monday stopped the CDA [Capital Development Authority] from demolishing slum in winter according to the wishes of its residents.
During the hearing, the chief justice remarked that the state lacks the mindset of working for everyone as Islamabad is being developed only for elite class. The chief justice added that the CDA and the government seem helpless.
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During the hearing, Justice Athar Minallah said that the CDA should inform the court about the accommodation for the middle and lower-middle-class in the capital’s master plan. “Don’t the slum dwellers have any right,” Justice Minallah questioned. “Is there any plan of providing shelter to the people who are going to be evicted by the CDA?” The chief justice accused the CDA officials of making Islamabad a city for the elite class.
Addressing the CDA officials, the Chief Justice said that the CDA is violating its own ordinance and judgments of high court. “The purpose the CDA is to service of the people. It is not for the service of the elite class,” the justice remarked. He maintained that the court will ensure that the rule of law prevails in Islamabad.
The Chief Justice further said that this is the only city which is being supervised by the Prime Minister and the Federal Cabinet. The city being developed for the elite class however, it shows that even the government and CDA is also helpless. The chief justice warned that if the law is not implemented then the chairman CDA and its members will face criminal proceedings.