ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court’s constitutional bench has summoned the Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman to appear in person at the next hearing in a case related to slum settlements.
The court also summoned the CDA’s Member Planning, the Secretary of the Law and Justice Commission, and called for the minutes of the working committee formed on slums.
Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar questioned the CDA’s lawyer about the authority’s policy on slum areas. He remarked that Sindh already has a Slum Act, and it’s the federal government’s responsibility to legislate on the matter.
The CDA lawyer argued that legislation is the federal government’s responsibility. The court responded by saying that it is the CDA’s job to propose laws to the federation.
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Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi expressed concern, saying there is a slum settlement near the Diplomatic Enclave, which is a serious issue.
The CDA lawyer stated that some slums are accepted by the authority. The court questioned under which law these are accepted and others aren’t. The lawyer admitted there is no law — “some we just accept.”
Justice Jamal Mandokhail asked, “What defines a slum?” and added that if mud houses are the criteria, then 90 per cent of Balochistan would fall under that category.
The court noted that since 2016, it has been ordering the government to legislate on this issue. Justice Mazhar pointed out that the case has been pending since 2015 and nothing has happened in 10 years.
The CDA lawyer added that due to the court’s stay orders, illegal settlements and encroachments in Islamabad are increasing.
The court adjourned the case sine dine.