ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday issued notices to chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the defence secretary in response to a petition challenging the construction of a building on the Rawal Lake, and denying access to the general public.

A single-member bench of IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard the petition of Zeenat Salim. The bench also issued notice to Attorney General for Pakistan and Chief of Naval Staff and directed them to file a reply in response to the petition.

Zeenat filed a petition through Zainab Janjua and contended that Pakistan Navy had illegally constructed a building on the Rawal Lake and had denied access to the general public.

She asserted that the "illegal" occupation of land, construction of a building thereon, and denial of access to a public place was a violation of the Capital Development Authority Ordinance, 1960, and the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution.

The IHC bench directed the CDA to submit the approved building plans along with the report. The chairman CDA shall, inter alia, explain under what authority of law permission has been granted and general public denied access to a public place.

The IHC chief justice also directed the director general, Environmental Protection Agency to submit a report explaining whether before starting the construction in an environmentally-sensitive area, the mandatory requirements were fulfilled under the Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1997.

He added, "If not, then what proceedings have been initiated?" Later, the court deferred hearing in this matter till July 23rd for further proceedings.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020