Gutter Baghicha case: Land allotted under Sindh local council rules, SC told
The court adjourned the hearing till January 11 and directed Amber Alibhai to join the proceedings via video link
KARACHI: The land allocated for the establishment of a park was allotted for residential purposes under Sindh local council rules, KMC Officers Housing Society chairman apprised the Supreme Court (SC).
The two-member larger bench of the Supreme Court resumed the hearing of the Gutter Baghicha encroachment case at SC’s Karachi Registry today in which the chairman of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) Officers’ Housing Society, social worker Amber Alibhai, Karachi Administrator Murtaza Wahab and others have appeared.
The KMC Officers’ Housing Society chairman told the court that his lawyer was on leave. He said that Abrar Hassan remained their counsel for the last 25 years.
Justice Qazi Muhammad Amin Ahmed said that the court will never let anyone flee from this case.
The chairman said that the land was allotted under Sindh local council rules. Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Gulzar Ahmed questioned the total area of the land and rules of allotment. The chairman replied that 200-acre of land was allotted and it is also mentioned in the documents while his lawyer could elaborate the rules.
Gutter Baghicha case: Murtaza Wahab tenders unconditional apology to SC
Justice Qazi Muhammad Amin Ahmed remarked that the court will not wait for KMC housing society’s lawyer. The chairman pleaded with the court to schedule another hearing on short notice.
Social worker Amber Alibhai argued that she could not travel to Islamabad while the verdict is being deferred for 25 years. CJP Ahmed remarked how a municipality land can be allotted. He ordered the advocate general to look into this matter.
Amber Alibhai said that a treatment plant was present on Gutter Baghicha in accordance with a 1929 map. The KMC housing society chairman argued that his house is being snatched.
CJP Ahmed expressed outrage over his argument and remarked that he should refrain from giving misleading statements in court. The chief judge asked him to elaborate on the rules that permitted the allotment of park land. To this, he replied that his lawyer could explain it.
CJP Gulzar Ahmed remarked that the case will be heard again next week in Islamabad.
Later, the court adjourned the hearing till January 11 following the plea of KMC housing society’s chairman and directed Amber Alibhai to join the proceedings via video link.
While talking to media outside the SC building, Karachi Administrator Murtaza Wahab said that he had presented the report yesterday that contains all facts. He said that he appeared in the hearing in the capacity of Karachi administrator.
