Islamabad - The Supreme Court has asked Capital Development Authority and inspector general of Islamabad police to sort out the issue of shifting IGP office from residential area to other location in two days and submit a report.
A two-member bench of the apex court headed by Justice Azmat Saeed Sheikh yesterday heard case against blockades and encroachments in residential areas of Islamabad Capital Territory.
Additional Attorney General Aamir Rehaman informed that earlier the inspector general of police office was working in F-8, however, due to some security purposes, his office was shifted to the residential area in the capital. He told that the office of police chief is under construction and may be completed in 18 months.
Upon that Justice Azmat remarked if the high police officials are not safe then how the security to the general public be ensured. The judge questioned whether no area was allocated for the police chief office in the master plan of the federal capital. He further asked if a restaurant was built in the residential area of the federal capital, the police are required to take action for vacating the restaurant but if the police themselves are involved in such illegality then how the CDA can take action.
Rehman sought some time but Justice Azmat said when no time is given to a citizen then how it could be given to police chief. Does the law discriminate the IGP and an ordinary citizen? the judge questioned.
Shahid Hamid, representing Capital Development Authority, submitted that he had talked to former Secretary Interior Shahid Khan regarding the matter but he is no more secretary interior.
Justice Azmat, however, said that constructing buildings is the matter of the government while the police are meant for providing security. He further said now secretary interior and secretary Capital Administration and Development Division are required to resolve the issue once for all, adding if both the officials rely upon talking the issue on phone while sitting in the offices then the court will decide the matter.
The petitioner informed that still clinics, schools and offices are being run in residential areas of the ICT. Justice Azmat observed that in Lahore, areas have been allocated for clinics and lawyers’ offices. He asked why no plan was made in that regard in the federal capital.
Shahid Hamid told the court that CDA is implementing the court order in letter and spirit. In pursuance of the earlier order of the court, the IG Islamabad and IG Motorways appeared before the court.
The court directed CDA to sort out a legal remedy for the resolution of the issue and informed it on the next date of hearing and adjourned further proceeding in the matter until February 25.