Karachi: The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) has ordered the authorities to remove the barricades outside various buildings, including Sindh Rangers Headquarters, Chief Minister House, and Governor House, and submit a report within three days.
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa said on Thursday that “no one is allowed to obstruct the free movement of people. “Blocking roads and erecting barriers is illegal” he added.
Chief Justice Isa’s remarks came when he was heading a three-member bench comprising Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail during the hearing of several cases related to encroachment and Nasla Tower at the Supreme Court Karachi Registry.
The Chief Justice emphasized that the federal and provincial governments were encroaching on the lands themselves and directed the authorities to “clear” the roads.
The court has ordered the Attorney General to inform the federal government and directed the authorities to send a copy of the court order to all the concerned institutions, including the security agencies.
The CJP said that the expenses related to the removal of encroachments should also be recovered from the encroachments.
Responding to the argument that the barriers are erected due to security concerns, the top judge said, “People keep getting attacked, but you stay safe? What kind of law is that?”
“If you feel very scared, go and sit in a remote area,” he added, instructing authorities to refrain from blocking roads on the pretext of security.
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“Why don’t you remove the encroachment in front of the Rangers headquarters?” The Chief Justice asked under which law the premises of Jinnah Court were handed over to the Rangers.
“Keep the containers inside the governor’s house. Why do you keep it outside?” The Chief Justice emphasized that the encroachments should be removed even if they are within the premises of the Supreme Court.
The hearing of the case was adjourned until Friday (tomorrow).