Chief Justice takes notice of illegal construction in Murree

E-Paper | March 11, 2026

Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar on Friday took notice of illegal construction in various areas of Murree tehsil.

Justice Nisar issued directions in this regard to the director general of the Human Rights Cell.

"Murree too is becoming a Raja Bazaar," the chief justice remarked, in reference to the commercial and shopping district of Rawalpindi.

He directed officials to find out from relevant departments how many illegal constructions had been set up in Murree and submit a report in this regard to the court.

Justice Nisar took notice of the issue while hearing an application filed by an officer deployed in Murree.

An officer had earlier been fired for negligence in the matter of illegal construction.

Illegal construction, deforestation and alleged encroachment continue in various areas of Murree tehsil in violation of Supreme Court’s order, Dawn reported earlier this month.

Supreme Court’s three-judge bench, headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, on Oct 20 had imposed a 20-day ban on all kinds of construction, including development projects and housing schemes, in the national park areas of Murree, Kotli Sattian and Kahuta, asking the authorities to present a comprehensive compliant report on next date of hearing on Nov 9.

There is no letup in construction and levelling of land by housing societies along Expressway and Islamabad-Murree Kashmir highway.

Town Municipal Administration (TMA) had already declared these housing societies, set up in sheer violation of bylaw, illegal.

TMA has published a list of 30 such housing societies for the people to keep them from investing in them. But these housing societies had already denuded a vast area of forest land.

Divisional Forest Officer Murree Wajeehudeen Ahmad had told Dawn that about 12,384 kanals forest land was encroached upon by housing societies and others in Murree Forest Division.

He said that all efforts were being made to retrieve the land but the people who allegedly encroached upon the land had moved courts.

Pakistan

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Illegal construction along dual carriageway goes unchecked

My Advice

Nov 24, 2017 03:08pm

Thank you your honour for taking notice on this important issue in Murree areas. For years rich and influential people have plundered any ways they want, in Murree as well in many other cities across the country, without due respect to land zoning or city bylaws, while poor people have been watching from the sidelines. Its always business as usual, rampant misuse of authority without any accountability.

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ahmed

Nov 24, 2017 03:21pm

Visited Murree this summer. The hill resort is not as it used to be. The water streams are filled with human waste and work as disposal of garbage. One can smell odour in the air in the built-up areas. Hotel industry has mushroomed without planning of sewerage, water supply and car parking for them. Bazars of Murree have become vehicle workshops where mechanics come from the plains and run their workshops in summers on roadsides blocking the traffic. As per the law, remaining clean water streams have been turned into service stations where cars are washed. Construction laws are still same old heavy multi storey concrete buildings which doesn't suit the location at all. The only place which is cared for and one doesn't see filth is Kashmir point which happens to be summer residence of Takht-e-Lahore.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Nov 24, 2017 03:50pm

Once again, excellent, bold, correct and timely decision by the Chief Justice of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

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ahmedj

Nov 24, 2017 03:58pm

The solution for Murree as a resort and promotion of tourism is to build a cable-car system to the hill station around the toll plaza on express way (Bara-kaho). Pindi Point and Kashmir Point are directly visible from that place and can facilitate the idea. A huge parking can be made where tourist can leave their vehicles in a secure area and take the cable-car (chairlift) up to their destination. In Murree a dedicated modern bus service runs on various circular routes under Murree local govt authority. Day's travel pass may help the tourists for all the journeys they make on cable-car and buses and return back to the parking at the end of the day. Only new intelligent systems can help save Murree from turning into another Raja Bazar.

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M.Nazir

Nov 25, 2017 06:30am

There is no mechnasim for the poor people .they cannot build there house for residant.Govt should release bilawas for buildings.

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