ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan is perturbed at non-enforcement of legal reforms effectively for the past three years, revealed the principal law officer of the country before the Islamabad High Court on Thursday.

Attorney General (AGP) Khalid Jawed Khan appeared before the IHC during the hearing of petitions relating to land disputes between citizens and government entities dealing with real estate projects and non-implementation of the Police Order 2002.

When IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah pointed out the government’s inability to keep a check on land mafia, AGP Khan expressed helplessness to curb the mafia.

The attorney general said the government had launched crackdown on petrol, sugar and chicken mafias, but to no avail. When the government challenges any powerful segment of society for any illegality, they start threatening to topple it, he said, adding that the government is striving to provide relief to the common man and is serious in its endeavour.

Justice Minallah asked the interior secretary about real estate venture of government entities. “When one goes to the motorway, there is a huge billboard of Supreme Court Employees Cooperative Housing Society,” he said, pointing out that the interior ministry is also running the housing society.

Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqat said it was a cooperative society being managed by the employees of the interior ministry and the secretary had no nexus with this real estate project.

Justice Minallah snubbed him and said it was a glaring example of clash of interest. If the secretary had no nexus with this housing society, why didn’t he issue a public notice or proceeded against those using the name of the ministry without authorisation, he wondered.

The IHC chief justice named the Intelligence Bureau, the Federal Investigation Agency, the interior ministry and many others operating the real estate business and said that they, in connivance with police, encroached upon public land and the affected land owner ran from pillar to post to get compensation.

Justice Minallah asked Inspector General of Islamabad Ahsan Younas about implementation of the Police Order and lamented that the poorly trained officer knew nothing how to investigate crimes.

The court directed the interior secretary, the deputy commissioner and the ins­pector general of Islamabad to submit rep­orts on implementation of the Police Order and encroachment of hou­sing societies on private land and adjourned the hearing for four weeks.

Published in Dawn, December 31st, 2021

Opinion

Editorial

United stance
Updated 13 Nov, 2024

United stance

It would've been better if the OIC-Arab League summit had announced practical measures to punish Israel.
Unscheduled visit
13 Nov, 2024

Unscheduled visit

Unusual IMF visit shows the lender will closely watch implementation of programme goals to prevent it from derailing.
Bara’s businesswomen
13 Nov, 2024

Bara’s businesswomen

Bara’s brave women have proven that with the right support, societal barriers can be overcome.
System failure
Updated 12 Nov, 2024

System failure

Relevant institutions often treat right to internet connectivity with the same disdain as they do civil and political rights.
Narrowing the gap
12 Nov, 2024

Narrowing the gap

PERHAPS a pat on the back is in order for the ECP. Together with Nadra, it has made visible efforts to reduce...
Back on their feet
12 Nov, 2024

Back on their feet

A STIRRING comeback in the series has ended Pakistan’s 22-year wait for victory against world champions Australia....