islamabad - The Supreme Court yesterday warned the federal and provincial governments and the CDA that if its order regarding provision of cheap housing facility to the poor and destitute is not complied with then they would have to face consequences.
The court has given last chance to the federal and provincial governments as well as Capital Development Authority to evolve policies for low-cost housing schemes for the poor and destitute.
The court said: “If the federal and provincial governments and CDA do not make any progress in two months then it would be compelled to initiate contempt proceedings against the concerned officers.”
A two-judge bench comprising Justice Dost Muhammad Khan and Justice Tariq Masood heard constitutional petition of Pakistan Workers Party against demolishing I-11 slum by the CDA.
The bench has maintained its earlier order to restraint CDA for demolishing the houses in I-11 slum. It ordered the CDA if anyone encroaches upon the public land in future then the CDA would apprise the court through an application upon that the court will pass appropriate order.
The bench was annoyed over non-compliance of its order by the federal and provincial governments regarding allocation of budgetary funds as well as legislative laws for the low-income housing schemes as well as regularisation of slums.
The bench has also lamented that the federal and provincial governments should be issued show cause notice regarding their failure in the compliance of the court’s earlier orders.
The bench observed that despite the passage of one year, no visible progress has been made due to the lethargic attitude of bureaucracy.
During the hearing, secretary Law & Justice Commission Sarwar Khan, who was appointed as focal person in this case, told the bench that the representatives of federal and provincial governments do not attend the meetings on the issue.
Upon that the bench asked him to hold meeting wherein the federal and provincial secretaries of relevant departments will have to ensure their attendance, adding if they do not attend the meeting then the court will be compelled to stop their salaries as well as the allotment of plots to the elite.
“If the court’s order is not being implemented then all chief secretaries should appear in person to explain the reasons of their failure,” it added.
It also asked the secretary law & justice to submit progress report to the court on the issue in chamber.
The copy of this order has also been sent to all chief secretaries and chairman CDA for compliance of earlier orders, wherein certain guidelines were given for the formulation of policies on low-cost housing schemes as well as slums.
The bench has also asked the CDA to carry out a comprehensive mapping exercise of the capital city, with the assistance of NADRA as it will be helpful to identify un-demarcated open lands and slums that are illegally occupied by unscrupulous elements.
During the hearing, Justice Dost Muhammad Khan observed that like Karachi, tankers mafia is also emerging in the federal capital.
The hearing of case was adjourned for two months.