LAHORE – Lahore High Court Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial on Thursday expressed displeasure over the PPP-led collation government for not showing seriousness on construction of Kalabagh Dam (KBD) and addressing the reservations of two provinces against the gigantic project.
The chief justice clearly asked the federal government to tell the court whether it would ready to bring up the matter before the Council of Common Interest (CCI) or the court would have to issue directions in this regard.
Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial expressed the dismay after going through a reply submitted by the federal government in response to different petitions seeking directions to it for constructing KDB to overcome energy crisis.
The chief justice said the federal government seemed to be interested in delaying the construction of KBD by filing mere replies asking for adjournments.
He went to say the court had directed the federal government to submit a detailed written reply showing hurdles in construction of KBD and failure for not bringing the matter in the CCI; however, no reply had been submitted despite repeated court’s opportunities.
At this, the petitioners counsel AK Dogar said the present leadership of the country was not interested in KBD construction and using lame excuses. He urged the court to itself direct the CCI to take up the issue.
Justice Bandial, however, said: “I am hopeful and we will get a good leadership soon, which will use willpower for construction of the KBD.”
The petitioner counsel also produced before the court with some more reports and documents helpful for the project and showing its need for the country.
The CCI also submitted it’s another reply and pointed out the CCI itself could not decide any matter and there was a proper procedure for submission of cases to the CCI. It also requested the court to issue directions to the Ministry of Water and Power or any provincial government for bringing up the matter before the CCI.
At this, the chief asked the petitioners counsel AK Dogar to assist the court whether it could issue directions to any constitutional body (CCI) or not.
The chief justice also directed the secretary ministry of water and power or any other responsible officer conversant to the KBD to appear in person on next date of hearing along with reply in view of court directions.
The chief justice observed that court was near to decide the fate of petitions seeking directions of KBD issue, and it would be done soon if the response of federal government would be same.