Islamabad - Supreme Court on Wednesday adjourned a suo moto case regarding illegal cutting of trees and construction in New Muree till January 4, 2018 due to non-availability of advocate general of Punjab.

A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan and comprising Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan heard the case. During hearing of the case, counsel for Aitzaz Ahsan, who also owns land in the area, contended that no illegal cutting of trees was held in New Murree throughout the year but the construction activity was still banned.

Justice Ejaz Afzal remarked that only the residents of the village concerned should be the owner of shamilat property but not a stranger. How an outsider could build a building on a shamilat property, he added. He also remarked that wherever an illegality would occur, the court would take notice of that.

The counsel contended that the Lahore High Court Rawalpindi registry was also constructed on a shamilat property. To this, Justice Ejaz replied that if relevant documents in this regard would be brought before the court, it would be in action for the supremacy of law.

However, due to non-availability the AG Punjab, the court adjourned the case till January 4.