SC seeks execution of order

ISLAMABAD - The Supreme Court on Tuesday inquired from the Federal Government whether or not its interim order regarding non-transferring of Gwadar Port Authoritys land to Singapore Authority has been implemented in letter and spirit. In the last hearing on December 8, 2010, the court had issued a stay order against the allotment of land belonging to Gwadar Port Trust Authority to a foreign company. The court had directed that the land - measuring 600 square kilometres - must not be transferred to the Port of Singapore Authority (SPA) until the final verdict of the case. The court also issued notices to the respondents made by the petitioner, Barrister Zafrullah Khan. In his petition, Barrister Zafarullah had said that Gwadar Ports land has been allotted to PSA and pleaded that a stay order be issued against the allotment. Abdul Hafiz Pirzada had said that the Balochistan Government was not satisfied with the allotment of the contract to PSA. The contract was awarded without the permission of the Council of Common Interests (CCI), which is a violation of the Constitution, he had informed the court. A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry was hearing identical petitions, challenging the Concession Agreement between Gwadar Port Authority and Port of Singapore Authority (PSA). The court adjourned the hearing for two weeks after Additional Advocate General Balochistan Abdul Aziz Khan sought two weeks time, saying that they were consulting with the Chief Minister of province on the issue. Ramzan Chaudhry, counsel for the Federation, Abdul Hafeez Pirzada Advocate and Barrister Zafrullah Khan, the petitioners, appeared before the court. Anwar Kamal, counsel for Singapore Ports Authority, also appeared before the court and submitted his reply. The Federations counsel Ramzan Chaudhary had also assured the court that neither the land was transferred nor it would be transferred.

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