LAHORE: The Supreme Court on Friday ordered the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) to complete its investigation against Khokhar brothers and also register a case against all those officials of the revenue department involved in allowing consolidation of their land.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar was hearing a suo motu case against illegal occupation of the properties of individuals by PML-N MNA Afzal Khokhar, MPA Saiful Malook Khokhar and Shafi Khokhar.

The court also got arrested consolidation collector Naveed for allowing consolidation of Khokhars’ land.

ACE Director General Hussain Asghar told the bench that Shafi and Saif were summoned but they did join the investigation. He also complained that the town municipal administration was not extending its cooperation to the ACE.

At this, the chief justice summoned Mayor retired Col Mubashar Ahmad and adjourned hearing after Friday prayers.

The mayor made his appearance during the second phase of hearing and told the bench that all the required record had been given to the ACE soon after he received information of the proceedings. He assured the court of full cooperation in the investigation being held by the ACE.

Asks DC to review wedding functions’ timings

Meanwhile, the Lahore Development Authority’s legal adviser told the bench that the team which went to Khokhar Palace in Johar Town was not allowed to inspect the property. He said the four approved maps possessed by the Khokhars did not belong to the land where they had built their palace.

At this, ACE DG Asghar pointed out that the maps of the palace’s land were not approved as Khokhars did not have property rights.

The bench directed the ACE head to complete the investigation within a week and also allowed him to take legal action against the Khokhars, if required.

During the course of hearing, Chief Justice Saqib Nisar directed the mayor to take steps to control traffic mess in the city especially during timings of wedding functions. The top judge suggested him to review the 10pm time limit for the marriage functions.

However, Mubashar Ahmad complained that he was a powerless mayor as he could not even order construction of roads or installation of streetlights in the city.

“I enjoy my office whenever I go abroad but here I have no power,” the mayor added. He said the deputy commissioner had the power to change the timings of marriage halls.

At this, the CJP asked DC Saleh Saeed, also present in the court, to take notice of the people’s sufferings and review, if she could, the wedding functions’ timings.

The chief justice observed that he witnessed the commuters being stuck on roads during peak hours in the city.

The bench also asked the mayor to move a separate application if he had any complaint of having no authority. The bench remarked that the local government system should be strengthened.

Published in Dawn, December 29th, 2018