The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued directives to the federal and provincial governments along with Capital Development Authority (CDA) to chalk out policies for low cost and social housing schemes, rehabilitation of slums and construction of social centers for homeless in the country.
Pakistan Workers Party had filed a plea in the SC challenging the CDA action to demolish I-10 Sector Katchi Abadi. Resuming the hearing of the plea, a two-member bench led by Justice Dost Muhammad Khan expressed dismay over the federal and provincial governments for non-observance of the apex court's earlier orders regarding budgetary allocation and taking legislative measures for the low-income housing schemes and regularisation of slums. During the course of proceedings, the court hinted at to initiate contempt proceedings against the officers concerned of the federal and provincial governments if they failed to show a tangible progress in the matter. The bench observed that despite the passage of one year, no visible progress has been made due to the lackluster performance of bureaucracy.
Appearing before the bench in the matter, Secretary Law & Justice Commission Sarwar Khan being focal person apprised the court that most of the time representatives of federal and provincial governments paid no heed to attend the meetings on the issue. To which the bench issued directives to federal secretary of Housing and Works, Secretary Climate Change, all the relevant provincial secretaries and the CDA's members planning, finance to attend the meetings in future.
The bench said the federal and provincial secretaries of relevant departments shall ensure attendance in the meetings saying failing which shall tend the court to stop their salaries and allotment of plots to the elites. The bench categorically asked the Secretary Law & Justice to inform the judges about development on the issue in the chamber.
The bench also asked the concerned branch to send copy of the order to all chief secretaries and chairman CDA for compliance of its earlier orders, wherein certain guidelines were given for the formulation of policies on low cost housing schemes as well as slums.
The bench also issued directives to the CDA to carry out a comprehensive mapping exercise of the capital city, with the assistance of NADRA as it will be helpful to identify un-demarcated open lands and katchi abadis that are illegally occupied by unscrupulous elements. Hearing of the matter was adjourned for two month.