ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court (SC) has upheld its stay order against sale of 600 acres land near coastal area.
A 3-member bench of SC presided over by CJP Nasir ul Mulk took up the petition filed by Adil Gillani of the Transparency International (TI) against the steps taken by the Sindh government.
The court while issuing stay orders with reference to 350 acres land of Karachi Port Trust (KPT) sought reply from Revenue Board (RB) Sindh till January, 13, 2015. Court has also stayed further proceedings on the cases pending hearing in Sindh High Court (SHC) on this matter till further orders.
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Nasir ul Mulk remarked that it should be ascertained who owned the land. Tragedy is this that all the institutions of Karachi are involved in the business of property. Illegal occupation of land and sale of land will not be allowed to anyone. The Board of Revenue (BoR) is doing what job. It seems as if it has stopped doing its job. It is important matter and it cannot be left as it is.
Justice Gulzar Ahmad has remarked miles long land of Hocks Bay has been submerged in sea. Time will come these people will link this land to Dubai. Hocks Bay land was sold out. It seems as if they have embarked upon running something other than KPT.
The court expressed displeasure over non appearance of Adil Gillani.
Counsel for KPT told the court that 350 acres land is owned by KPT.
The court remarked what job has you started instead of running KPT. Property business is being done.
CJP remarked tragedy is this that all the institutions have left all other works and started doing property business. It will be ascertained who is owner of this property.
The court had issued stay order on November, 26, 2013 against 600 acres land. The court heard this case.
Noor ud Din owner of this land appeared in the court and told this land was owned by him and he was owner of this land since 1936.
The court inquired how he became owner of this 600 acres land.
Justice Gulzar remarked I thought this land was provided to you in 1948. I have never heard that someone is owner of 600 acres land in Karachi. Being owner of 10 acres land is a big thing.
The court directed director lands Sindh and revenue department Sindh to review the matter and file the report till January, 13, 2015.
