Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on Monday took a suo motu notice of alleged encroachment of a public football ground in Islamabad's F-8 sector by lawyers who are constructing their chambers there. According to a notification issued by the Supreme Court's public relations officer, the Chief Justice took the notice of encroachment after it was reported by print media.
Last month, lawyers from the Islamabad Bar Association (IBA) began further constructions on the football ground despite being stopped from doing so at the end of 2017. Half the ground had allegedly been encroached upon by lawyers who had built their chambers there a few years ago. Construction, which resumed in December 2017 on the remaining half of the land, was halted after the matter was highlighted on various forums, but now it has been restarted.
According to Bar Association President, Riasat Ali Azad, the construction was initiated by the previous cabinet of the bar, and he could not undo its decision. The Capital Development Authority (CDA) had refused to intervene in the matter, saying the superior judiciary should take notice of the matter instead.
According to the suo motu notice issued here, the Chief Justice has ordered the CDA to file a report on the matter within three days.