ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday barred the Pakistan Navy from issuing memberships of the Sailing Club at Rawal Lake. A single bench of Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard a contempt petition against Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA) and others for not complying with the court's order to seal a commercial building of the Pakistan Navy on the Rawal Lake.

During the course hearing, former attorney general Ashtar Ausaf appeared before the court on behalf of the Chief of Naval Staff. Ausaf requested the court to grant some time to submit a reply, which the court accepted. The chief justice asked "under what law, the Navy could carry out such activities".

He said it was a serious matter, and asked whether such activities could be carried out along the banks of Rawal Lake. He directed the respondents to submit written replies before the next hearing to be held on August 19th.

The petitioner, Zeenat, informed the court that she along with her husband visited the building, and asked the staff at the gate to allow them to go inside to inquire about the details of the PN Sailing Club membership.

She added that the staff members at the information kiosk told them that they had relevant information about the membership, and gave membership form for PKR 1,500. The petitioner told the court that the official of the sailing club also informed them that almost 300-400 memberships of the club had already been sold.

Then, the IHC bench directed Ausaf to ensure sealing of the club premises, and also barred the club from issuing membership. The petitioner, Zeenat has filed the petition through her advocate, Zainab Janjua, and contended that Pakistan Navy has "illegally" constructed a building on the Rawal Lake, and has denied access to the general public.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020