Islamabad - The federal and provincial governments have been ordered to draft a bill for providing shelter to the low-income class and homeless people and ensured tabling it in the National and provincial assemblies within two months. “We are giving last chance to the federal and provincial governments to take effective measures for provision of shelter to the low-income and homeless people otherwise we fulfilling our constitutional obligations shall take stern action,” said a two-judge bench of the apex court.
The bench comprising Justice Dost Muhammad Khan and Justice Qazi Faez Isa was hearing the petitions against Capital Development Authority and police action in katch abadi Sector I-11, Islamabad.
The bench also directed the authorities for constituting a commission of experts to formulate low-cost housing schemes for the poor and homeless.
The court expressed dissatisfaction over the reports submitted by the federation and provinces and termed them not comprehensive and incomplete. It said despite its clear directions to evolve a policy for provision of shelters to the low-income people, all the governments and CDA seemed to ignore the directives.
The court in its order ruled that the federal government, four provinces and the civic body CDA keeps a blind corner for the poor and homeless people in the country.
The order said that the CDA has launched several housing schemes wherein plots are being awarded to the upper class for living a luxurious life, however no quota was allocated for the low-income class and homeless people in those housing schemes.
The bench observed that it is the constitutional obligation of the government to provide shelter adding civic agency CDA launched many housing schemes and many are complete but no quota for the poor people for getting decent accommodation while rich are sold out plots for their luxurious life. The court further observed that such line of action poses a potential threat for the policy of security.
It is pertinent to mention here that on last hearing the court had ruled for ensuring enforcement of constitutional obligation pertaining to life, liberty and dignity of a man and had ruled for passing an appropriate order if the government failed to provide shelter to the low-caste and destitute people in the country.
Justice Dost Muhammad Khan observed that fundamental rights of the people have been usurped in the country since 1967. He said since August this court has been passing orders regarding the matter but the authorities are not taking them seriously.
Justice Qazi Faiz Isa another member of the bench observed that the government is formulating policies for bringing prosperity in the country while on the other hand the life style of people in the Quetta city is worst of its kind. The case is adjourned for two months.