SC rejects three-year timeframe for Islamabad schools to evacuate residential property

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has rejected a three-year timeframe for schools established in residential areas to shift to another location in the capital.

A three-member bench presided by Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali heard a case regarding use of residential areas for commercial activities on Wednesday.

Capital Development Authority (CDA) lawyer Shahid Hamid told the bench that when hearing of the case began 1695 buildings in residential areas were used for commercial purpose, now their number has reduced to 641, of which 359 are schools, 90 hostels and 100 guesthouses.

The CJ remarked that until strict actions is taken against them situation will not improve. He added that if the CDA takes measures against using residential plots for commercial activities people come out on the streets with a hundred or two hundred school children.

“If action is taken against illegal activities the civil society begins to protest. Creating a mountain out of mole hill has become our culture,” he said.

The SC refused to give schools a three-year timeframe to evacuate residential property. “Will the court wait for three years for implementation of law?” the CJ said.

The hearing has been adjourned till the first week of December.