SC seeks cabinet approval of CDA's Bani Gala regularisation plan in two weeks

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar ordered the government to get the Capital Development Authority's (CDA) regularisation plan approved by the federal cabinet in two weeks.

Hearing the suo motu case related to illegal structures and environmental degradation in Bani Gala today, the three-member bench was informed by the additional advocate general (AAG) that the CDA has finalised the regularisation plan of the area. 

The AAG informed that the entire settlement will be regularised, adding that structures made prior to March 30, 2018 will be regularised whereas those constructed after the date will be demolished. 

The chief justice remarked that there should be no illegal construction in the future, observing that the purpose of the case is to safeguard the Korang Nullah and botanical garden.

The court then ordered the relevant authorities to get approved from the cabinet the regularisation plan in two weeks. It also summoned monthly reports regarding the sewage treatment plant, report on action against illegal structures on Korang Nullah and sought submission of all cases in lower courts regarding the botanical garden to the Supreme Court. 

During the hearing, the AAG claimed that the municipal corporation of the capital is responsible for constructing structures on the Korang Nullah whereas the Zone 1 magistrate said they will issue notices to those who have constructed illegal structures after which they will be demolished. 

The chief justice remarked during the hearing that someone messaged him in the morning informing him of the reason behind China's rise: the country fired around 400 ministers as it took action against all those found negligent. 

At the last hearing on March 27, the chief justice had ordered the relevant authorities to submit in a week recommendations on resolving the issues of Rawal Lake.

During the hearing, the chief justice had observed that they will not let public interest cases be delayed.

Detailing the highlights of the case at that hearing, Chief Justice Nisar had said one issue pertains to the encroachments in the botanical garden, the other on whether illegal structures should be penalised or regularised and the last and most important pertains to ensuring cleanliness of Rawal Lake.

Last year, the CDA had informed the apex court that more than 100 structures in Bani Gala, including Imran's residence, are illegal.

The case is based on a suo motu notice which originated from Imran's petition seeking the court's intervention to stem illegal construction and environmental degradation in Bani Gala.