KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday directed Dr Asim Hussain, a leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party and close aide of former president Asif Ali Zardari, and others to file their respective replies on a petition against the encroachments allegedly made by the Ziauddin Hospital’s management on an amenity plot in North Nazimabad.

Headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, a two-judge bench gave the direction while hearing a constitutional petition of a civil rights campaigner, Rana Faizul Hassan, who died late last year.

The bench issued notice to Dr Asim and others on the report of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) reflecting that the amenity plot was encroached by his hospital’s management for its North Nazimabad branch’s parking.

The petitioner had sought the removal of the alleged encroachment made by the hospital’s management in North Nazimabad. Earlier, the court had observed that the case would be heard by it even after the petitioner’s death as it was of public importance.

Earlier, the SHC had directed the NAB chairman to investigate whether government officials, the Hockey Association West (HAW) and the management of the hospital were responsible for this apparent commercial use of an amenity plot.

On Monday, the NAB filed its report stating that the hospital’s management had encroached upon the amenity plot meant for hockey ground next to its North Nazimabad branch and it was being used for commercial activities such as parking.

The NAB added that as per investigation, the allegation of the petitioner proved correct and the offence was established.

The bench issued notices to Dr Asim, Ziauddin Hospital’s deputy managing director, Karachi Development Authority director, two former and one current XEN of North Nazimabad, and the HAW secretary and honorary secretary for a date to be announced later.

The petitioner, who was the secretary general of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, had sought removal of encroachments allegedly made by the administration of the hospital.

The bench had earlier noted that the plot was allotted by the City District Government Karachi to the HAW, but it was hardly used as a playground.

The petitioner stated that the plot was being used for commercial activities such as parking lot and marriage hall.

He said that the matter was in the knowledge of the authorities concerned, but no action was taken against those responsible.

The petitioner stated that the hospital’s management encroached upon properties, which were originally allocated for parks, in North Nazimabad and Sheerin Jinnah Colony areas of Karachi.

He said the properties were being used as the hospital’s parking and the authorities concerned had failed to perform their duties in the removal of encroachments.

He prayed to the court to direct the respondents to remove the encroachments allegedly made by the hospital’s management on the amenity plot and restore those in their original position.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2017