KARACHI, Feb 3: The Sindh High Court allowed the Dow University of Health Sciences on Thursday to raise the necessary constructions at the Dow medical college premises in accordance with the approved plan and the law.
A writ petition was moved by Dr Sher Shah Syed, a DMC professor, against new structures being raised at the college premises. He said the DMC building was a part of national heritage and the new structures spoiled its architectural design.
Contesting the petition, Additional Advocate-General M. Ahmed Pirzada said the first building block was constructed in 1945 for 50 students only. Six new blocks had been constructed since to cater to the growing needs.
To provide for new facilities required by upgradation of the college to the university level, a new four-storey building was being raised without affecting the existing building blocks.
The expansion, the AAG said, was being done strictly in accordance with the building rules and regulations. Full attention was being paid to the historic and aesthetic value and an endeavour was being made further beautify the structure.
A division bench, comprising Justices Ataur Rahman and Zia Pervez, disposed of the petition in terms of the AAG's statement and allowed the respondents to construct the new building in accordance with the approves design and rules.
CASE QUASHED: The Sindh High Court quashed on Thursday a criminal case against businessman Sadruddin Gangji and ordered his release if he was not required in any other case.
The case was registered by the Federal Investigation Agency in October 2003. He was accused of misappropriating palm oil worth Rs 1200 million hypothecated to creditor banks in 1995-96.
He imported the oil and kept it in his company's tank terminal on behalf of the creditor bank but was accused of removing it for disposal in connivance with the bank staff.
Appearing for the businessman, Advocates Aitzaz Ahsan and M Ilyas Khan submitted that the case was at worst one of civil liability, which had mala fidely been converted into a criminal offence.
The accused was abroad at the time of the commission of the alleged offence. On his return to Pakistan, he negotiated a deal with the federal government, under which he paid Rs 1000 million.
The government undertook to settle all claims and drop all charges against him. The deal was approved by the prime minister's secretariat, the counsel submitted. The quashment plea was heard by a division bench, comprising Justices Sarmad Jalal Osmany and M. Mujibullah Siddiqui.
