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Supreme Court finds massive illegalities in land acquired by Bahria Town for housing projects
In three separate yet equally searing verdicts delivered on Friday, the Supreme Court (SC) came down hard on Bahria Town's illegal procurement of land for its housing projects across the country, in each case declaring all such transfers null and void.
Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan authored the hard-hitting majority judgements in each case, which were heard by a single three-member bench. He was accompanied by Justices Maqbool Baqar and Faisal Arab.
Each order was passed 2-1, with Justice Maqbool Baqar dissenting in each case.
Bahria Town Karachi
The apex court barred Bahria Town from selling or allotting land in the Bahria Town Karachi project after declaring that the allotment of land to the company by the Sindh government and a massive land swap with the Malir Development Authority (MDA) was done illegally.
"[...] We are constrained to declare that the grant of the land to the MDA, its exchange with the land of Bahria Town and anything done pursuant thereto being against the provisions of COGLA 1912 [Colonization of Government Lands Act, 1912] and statement of conditions are void ab initio and as such have no existence," the court ruled.
Read more: Bahria Town — Greed unlimited
"The government land would go back to the government and the land of Bahria Town exchanged for the government land would go back to Bahria Town," the court ordered.
The bench hearing the case further directed the National Accountability Bureau to file references against those responsible for illegally transferring and allotting land and to take action against them within three months.
The court also considered the interests of those people Bahria Town has already sold the land to.
"Since a great deal of work has been done by the Bahria Town and a third-party interest has been created in favour of hundreds of allotees, the land could be granted to the Bahria Town afresh by the Board of Revenue under the provisions of COGLA 1912."
"What would be the terms and conditions of grant, what would be the price of the land, whether it would be the one at which the Bahria Town sold the land to the people by and large, how much of government land and how much of the private land has been utilized by the Bahria Town, and what Bahria Town is entitled to receive in terms of money on account of development of the land are the questions to be determined by the implementation bench of this court."
"We, therefore, request the Honorable Chief Justice of Pakistan to constitute a bench for the implementation of this judgement in its letter and spirit," it asked.
"Bahria Town shall not sell any plot, built-up unit, apartment etc after the announcement of this judgement. Any allotment made after the announcement of this judgement shall be void," the court ordered.
"The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) shall pick up the thread from where it left and take its investigation to its logical end. The investigation report which was submitted in the Court and sealed under its order may now be collected for further action. The investigation be completed within a period of three months from the date of announcement of this judgement and a reference be filed in the Accountability Court against all those who are found responsible for causing loss to the state exchequer," the court further ruled.
"We have been told that government land has also been allotted to DHA and many other societies on cheaper rates as compared to the rates in this case. If so, we would request the Honourable Chief Justice of Pakistan to take suo moto action in this behalf so that like be treated alike."
Read more: The DHA juggernaut rolls on in the name of development
Bahria Town Rawalpindi
Separately, the SC also held Bahria Town responsible for encroachment on forest land in the Takht Pari area near Islamabad.
The issue raised in the Takht Pari case was that Bahria Town had 'encroached' upon 1,170 kanals of forest land, while the forest department had 'encroached' on an area measuring 765 kanals of Bahria Town.
However, the court struck down this mutual 'encroachment' deal, deeming it illegal and of no effect.
"We declare that the area of Takht Pari is 2,210 acres; that exchange of land purportedly encroached by Bahria Town and the forest department and attestation of mutations in this behalf being based on an erroneous assumption about the area is against the law and the record and as such of no effect and the order passed in S.M.C.No. 3 of 2009 is recalled."
"However, if any third-party interest has been created over the forest land what to do therewith and how to deal therewith shall be decided by the implementation bench," it ruled.
The court then directed the forest department, the revenue department and the Survey of Pakistan to conduct a fresh demarcation in the Takht Pari area.
It also issued notices to the forest department and Bahria Town to submit a report within one month before the SC implementation bench.
NAB was also directed to look into who authorised the illegal allotments in the Takht Pari area and pursue them in an accountability court.
New Murree Development Scheme
In a third order issued the same day, the Supreme Court also struck a death blow to the New Murree Development Project/Scheme, which had been roundly criticised by environment protection agencies for endangering the forests and land around Islamabad.
"We do not understand how suitable chunks of land were chosen and taken possession of without having recourse to legal proceedings and without the permission of the government in gross, grave and glaring violation of the law governing the partition of such land.
"We do not understand how the trees and bushes running in millions were cut from the shamlat-i-deh [communal land] and how was it converted into a building site. We also do not understand how the government slept over its rights and sat around like an idle spectator when everything was ruined and run amuck by Bahria Town or for that matter any other builder without realizing that fauna and flora are better served by the natural growth of trees than the mountains of iron, cement and concrete," Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan wrote.
"[...] As a sequel to what has been discussed above, we have no hesitation to hold that any area of shamilat-i-deh broken up for cultivation or any other purpose, partitioned, taken possession of or constructed in violation of the wajib-ul-arz [agreement between settled villagers using the land and the government] and rule 4A and 4B of the Rules mentioned-above, being illegal and unlawful is of no effect."
"The area thus broken up, partitioned, taken possession of or constructed be retrieved by the government forthwith. All construction work in shamilat-i-deh be stopped forthwith. The construction work carried in private ownership would continue only if it is okayed by the Rawalpindi Development Authority and Environment Protection Agency."
"The persons and officials of the revenue department be proceeded against. The NAB is directed to investigate the case and file references against all those who are found responsible for committing, aiding and abetting the crime at any level or in any form."
"If at all a great deal of construction work has been done on the property comprised in shamilat-i-deh, plots have been transferred, superstructure has been raised thereon and third-party interest has been created therein, a spade would remain a spade and an illegal act would remain illegal. However, the questions what to do with the allottees, how to deal with their cases and what remedial measures could be taken in this behalf shall be dealt with by the implementation bench.
"We, therefore, request the Honourable Chief Justice of Pakistan to constitute an implementation bench in this behalf to deal with the questions mentioned above.
"It is, however, added that the provincial government and the Forest Department take care of the areas of the shamilat-i-deh to develop it by afforestation."
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Comments (122) Closed
Honourable Supreme Court and Honourable Judges are a beacon of hope for all Pakistanis. The alliance of PPP, Bahria Town and PSP (Haqiqi2) are after the resources of Urban Sindh. In addition the alliance of these three with more powerful sources has given them a free hand in Urban Sindh to do whatever they want.
SC and CJP , the only hope of our nation . Stay strong
Good going! I suspected there was some fiddling in the deal and some PML-N and PPP officials got a pay off from Malik Riaz. The land should be preserved as Public Park and for Recreation.
Karachi is already a ghetto and concrete jungle.. The last thing it needs is more concrete blocks and Apt Buildings.
@Skeptic No one can touch Malik Riaz my dear do you know what is DHA Valley and Malik Riaz has retired people in his team along with the politicians.
good decision. plz implement too
Good news, BT should have completed their previous projects before starting new ones. People paid them for their projects and have been waiting for years. Infact BT has invested their money elsewhere.
Don't buy in Bahria Lahore also. Its going to come next
Great decision. Thanks SC
It is a good decision. However Supreme court should find a way to indemnify the people as well who have made investments in Bahria Town Karachi.
Boom time ahead for DHA...
Yet another home-run in the name of transperency, fairness and true justice by the wonderful Supreme Court of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Well done and keep it up?
Now this my friends is real progress in my country. Unlike investigations, raids, arrests and the like, this is seeing justice through to the end. I for one would like to see more of this.
Great Decision- The poor villagers from many villages were forced out of their homes. Hat off for brave judiciary. All the culprits should be brought to task.
Implement the decision
Qabza Group should be brought to account. Private or DHA all should be treated according to law.
What on earth have our elected PML-N for two terms and PPP before them have been doing. It seems Pakistan has been in free-fall under their watch!
@NM The owners of the property should have done their research, it was unethical for them to buy land there in the first place. In fact Dawn itself had earlier published a very meticulous article on the wrong doings of Bahria Town karachi. It serves them right, being greedy at the expense of the poor people of those 'dehs'. And rest assured those buyers were greedy and not 'needy' seeing no one would expect to live there before the next 20 yrs.
Thank you. Please implement the decision.
Great news after nearly 3 years of waiting. The local villagers who were beaten and kicked out of their homes can take a deep breath and claim back their stolen land! Thumbs up to SC!! Malik Riaz is in trouble and this time Zardari and Nawaz are helpless to bail him out!
Its very good move as long as it is concluded on time to avoid the loss to those who invested in these projects.
What about the money of middle class who invested in this project?
Isn't it a bit too late now for legal action against Bahria Town Karachi (BTK)?
Hundreds of thousands of plots, homes and apartments have been sold.
Possession of properties handed over to owners after full payment of installments.
Many people have even taken up residence in BTK.
What would become of the hard earned money of middle class investors in BTK?
By the way, the money made from BTK has reportedly been taken by Malik Riaz out of Pakistan for investments in Dubai, where the former Karachi Mayor / part-time terrorist Mustafa Kamal is known to have been working for Malik Riaz.
This would not be a simple case, if the authorities really are serious in hauling up Bahria Town and Malik Riaz on account of various violations of Pakistan's rules and regulations.
SC should have taken this step when BT was launched. MR has been fooling people for a long time on pretext of selling land whose sublease is not given. SC should ensure all BT stake holders get a sublease so they cannot be blackmailed into selling land to BT in future and maintenance of BT's to be transferred to residents of BT.
@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan totally agree, MK financed by BT financed by AZ
Why action now when entire payments by hardworking Karachi heights has already payed to bahria town , march was the last payment month so it is definitely a cruel joke to people and surely their economic deprivation
A good step......but would it not be better if those issues already taken up by the SC and NAB be QUICKLY brought to their logical conclusion so that the people can have confidence that SOMETHING positive will happen.
Is any of these crooks will end up in jail for fraud?
supreme court must protect the interests of innocent investors who spent their life long savings to get piece of land or a house to live in during their life time.
Judiciary must understand that Bahria Town is larger than Law. It would be in best interest of Judiciary to stay away from these matters.
excellent decision !! bad times have started for zardari and malik riaz !!!
Salute to Supreme Court of Pakistan for going after the corrupt elite of all backgrounds and holding them all accountable. Pakistani nation stands shoulder to shoulder with Supreme Court and its judges. Hope that the Supreme Court remains steadfast as it was in face of the intimidatary tactics used by the corrupt in Panama case. Common Pakistanis want their looted wealth, resources and lands back!
A very encouraging and people friendly judgment by the SC.It is very heartening to note that at last this daylight under the table business deals involving transfer/sale of government lands for pennies and rampant practice of forestland grabbing through china cutting has been stopped.It is very obvious that it could not have happened without connivance of those who thought make hay when the sun is shining and soon as per order of the SC,persons involved in these shady deals will be exposed by NAB.The credit for this historic verdict goes to daily Dawn,whose investigative reporter took pains to make public the intrigues & corrupt practices enforced by the land grabbing Mafia, under which a lot of poor families living on those lands for centuries together, were forcefully got evicted.The creditable civil society's pursuance of the matter is also laudable.This is a shining example, wherein a honest and media & civil society gainfully collaborated in the interest of people of Pakistan
@AJ wishing for the impossible? Just forget it. No way the planners wish to share their share of the earnings, meant for their generations to come, with the people who are caught in the trap for their lives.
@Skeptic : And where should the people live then.
DHA, Bahria and alike projects should be banned because in 15 years time we will be changing the names to our cities to DHA and Bahria. These housing projects are the best ways to grab land and in a country like Pakistan, where there is hardly any concept of proper land zoning and land survey has given these so called "business men" destroy agricultural land. Additionally, it is hightime that Pakistan should seriously think about laws pretaining to foreign ownership of Pakistani resources. We must have rules set in place where foreigners cannot own businesses unless a local owns 50% of the asset/resource. It wont be long before we realise that our owm people have been kicked from their own lands by some foreigner and it will be Palestine like scenario all over again. Greed and lust for money is destroying us and we dont even think for a second about what type of country we want to leave for our future genrations. If this continues, we will leave nothing but barren lands and darkness
Karachi and Sindh are full of illegal land. Mafias are so strong to prosecute.
a law must be passed that land can only be sold once someone wants to build a home maybe after 2-years max, not for investment. See how prices will fall and people who can not afford housing can do so.
Right now Land is an investment where money that could be ut to use in businesses and other investments is being parked for future gain in real estate, artificially increasing prices.
Sell land only if a person want to build a house or commercial building
This is only the start. InshaAllah the whole clean up of Sindh is starting and the land mafias including baldia and DHA as well, have been taking advantage of the corruption.
The interest of common people who bought land from Bahria Town shall be protected. Why the common man pay the price of any irregularities done by either government or Bahia Town?
Great Initiatiative... This should set foundation to solve the massive land grabbing in and all those land mafia legends in Karachi.
No doubt, a good decision but fate of millions of Pakistanis who have invested in it for their hopes to have home will be on street. Will there be arrest of politicians and Sindh government crooks, if not then accountability court also have to check on previous sc cjp for keeping blind eyes. My opinion is to create independ and private body, especially with no one from Sindh govt and keep these really great housing schemes going, and hire Malik Riaz from jail to complete his dream from jail. And build a jail in center of each bahria towns and throw all criminals in it to set example.
Riaza Malik knew the land was illegally acquired and this is why he heavily invested in BT and built various buildings and allowed even his employees to live there. He is smart but notorious in doing illegal work.
People enormous investment shows how blindly we support corrupt builders and people. Perhaps mainly black money lost there.
How about the other looters have built homes in Karachi for more 3 decades already on thousands of plots if not millions?
Why he does not punish NS and Zardari the biggest looters?
In order fool people Malik Riaza constructed '3rd Larget Mosque', Amusements', 'Dancing Fountains', 'Jinnah Avenue', 'Mall' et.c etc. The government of Sindh did not take any notice earlier otherwise thousands of people would not have invested in this fraud scheme.
One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we’ve been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We’re no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It’s simply too painful to acknowledge, even to ourselves, that we’ve been taken. Once you give a charlatan power over you, you almost never get it back.
Great decision . salute to Supreme Court !
Justice should prevail but at the same time innocent people who have already paid a lot of money to Bahria Town should not suffer. Their interest should be guarded as they booked the plots and apartments in the government approved projects.
@Skeptic Where do you propose people should live in the future genius?
Very interesting. Any private company or builder could not grab such a huge chunk of public land without help of government officials, who in turn may have been ordered to help by corrupt politicians. So, all rich and powerful likely made good money while suffering masses lost, as usual. Unless few of those big name corrupt individuals and their helpers are punished, there would be no change. Because almost everyone thinks they can violate public trust and continue looting withing punishment. No wonder rich getting richer and poor getting poorer. They call it democracy.
Why this is being done now, when so much ground work is done? Why this was allowed to reach at this point and now the order to stop all and evaluate!!
Pmln, ppp and Musharraf all have away national land in return of bribes to bahria.
Ironically why is no one in the media covering this? Onky dawn has the guts to cover these cases in depth
Supreme court should also take notice for thousands of illegal encroachments happening in Karachi. Why Malir and Lyari development authorities are established when Karachi development authority already exists? KDA should only be the authority governing and maintaining whole Karachi. Outer boundary for Karachi should be established and all of Katchi Abadis should be regulated.
Okay I agree with the courts decision and judges thinking but where is the punishment? Who is going to jail for such negligence on the part of government? Where are the heavy fines and penalties on the Bahria Town owners for this malpractice? This is not justice, this is just trying to patch up things i.e. trying to put things the way they were before. Show some guts and put some rich/fat people behind bars plus issue such heavy fine and penalties that it will break the back of the horse i.e. Bahria Town.
How do you expect such things will not to occur in the future if no one is severely punished? If this was happened in the US, the whole house (Bahria Town) would have be brought down with heavy penalties and fines i.e. Bahria Town would have to return everyone's money plus reimburse the government, additional fines for messing up with the environment and messing up with the law. Addionally, all government employees who colluded with Bahria Town would have been fired and jailed.
They thought they could go on stealing the land forever.
This is normal practice in Pakistan that no one takes any action immediately after a fraud or corrupt scheme is announced and people invest in it. Once a large number of people invested money in the scheme then all organizations wake up to take actions. What is this joke?
First time in the history of Pakistan Apex Court has taken right direction at the right time. Land grabbing is mother of corruption in.Pakistan. Baheria Town in.every city is built upon the public land. CJ deserved standing ovation by taking notice of irregularities committed by Malik Riaz
Illegalities should be curbed and acquiring through legal means should be made easy. Development of international standards living areas are necessary. Not defending Malik Riaz for his illegal mean but he did showed everyone in Pakistan on how lands should be developed, other builders now and in the past also resorts to same tactics in acquiring and also cut corners in building and development. Malik Riaz at least delivers a quality product and therefore makes profit.
Govt lands in the outskirts areas are typically cheap everywhere in the world, there value is increased by development which brings in economic activity to the area. Profit comes from adding value via processing. Same iron ore can either be a worthless dirt or processed into a very expensive machinery!
@iBS People should go where they can find affordable housing within their means..
Bahria Town development are hardly affordable by 'average garden-variety' Pakistanis. That's why some choose to live in rural villages with lots of empty land, less congestion, fresher air and less tensions. As opposed to tiny house or Apt in densely populated city like Karachi, where finding even parking space is an ordeal, much less affordable peaceful housing.
Not just Bahria, what about DHA?
Our 2 maraba family land near Ravi River has also been illegally occupied by forest department and when you take ownership papers to their office, They say bring 2crore to release this land.. Since then been visiting courts, everyone is asking money. This is Pakistan! Where people are criminals
Riaz Malik with his baria town scheme has become the richest man in Pakistan and has made many more people rich who have cooperated in his fraud scheme.
Finally... We're proud of honorable judges.
To whom common man trust. DHA city and BT is not new in the market than why it took so much time to decide.
Bahria town could not have done this without help from Zardari who is know to have financial interest in Bahria town. that is why he was gven Zardari House in lahore.
SC must think over for those who have invested all their saving in Bahria town Karachi. Why NAB and courts are so active only in Karachi?
Deforestation of Takht Pari & surrounding areas (read all BT Phase 7 / 8 / 9) has caused land erosion and increased dust in the air. I am not so sure that the perpetrators understand the monumental negative impact on human health & life.
Need to investigate it. Any idea about Fazaia housing scheme Karachi status?
What will happen to thousands of people who purchased these plots and these are general public who dont have any idea of irregularities but they purchased using their all saved money. Govt should not allow any project to launch where there is something wrong in the process.
This action is good but timing is worst , i have frds and relatives who purchase these plots so they can live in the future using their saved money , now these action will shatter the market and may be they will loose complete amount
Very Bad ! hating our system and govt who looted public
Heart breaking news for most Karachiities people who have invested in BT. SC must understand ground realities and think for thousands who have invested fairly and paid all installments for their plots. In average they have paid three to four Million Rupees in past 2-3 years. It was a long time, why no court alert these investors in time? I am sure thousands of Karachiities will be on road due to this order. Those who are clapping on this forum are jealous to their own brothers and sisters.
Bahria Town has done nothing wrong... why should it stop the construction ??
@Riaz Uddin Mr Din, please do not indulge in this debate if you don't have any feeling or interest in this project.
@SHAHID SATTAR Don't feel dejected.These thing happen in all societies but with accountability and rule of law enforced & applied across the board, these have stopped in most of the progressives countries.It is bound to happen in Pakistan too and credit goes to the present CJ who has taken the first step to break this inertia of corruption in high places.These so called developer tycoons claim that they are solving housing shortage problem faced by the country due to burgeoning population and shift of rural masses toward urban areas for search of lively hood,but looking at the cost in millions none of average person can afford it.In 1972,Gen.Azam Khan built the low cost housing called Orangi township for Beharis in 6 months at affordable cost. Instead of public sector doing this,our rulers and their compatriots are finding the easy way to make money and shun away their duty and that too by selling governments owned lands at throwaway prices. This must stop and it has to stop forthwith
Request to Hounerable Court to also stop Karachi Bahria Town to getting the installments from buyer until decision.
Bravo' I can't believe that it is Pakistani supreme court. I change my mind from today onward.
Long live Supreme Court. Now I have hope, good days of Pakistan are coming soon, when rule of law will prevail.
Isn't it interesting that most of the channels who give step by step coverage of other political cases, have remained are yet silent on SC decision against Bahria Town. Money and vested interests certainly speak louder than so called 'freedom of press and speech'!
Can anyone tell, how many housing scheme initiated in past 40 years after F B Area, North Nazimabad, Gulistan Jauhar, North Karachi for Karachiities people by KDA or any government agencies? Bahria Town is a sign of some relief for new families in Karachi who have no properties. Government own House Building Finance corp was collapsed due to plunder and looting.
Entire set up of Bahria Town is illegal.
@Nomi Goraya 'Untouchable'?
Right!! And Titanic was supposed to unsinkable. But it did sink, on its maiden voyage..
Never say never. No one is invincible in this world.
Nothing will happen to the corrupt.
As the sun turns, so do fortunes.
@Skeptic Can you imagine that in Karachi, on the Hoshang Road extension, apartments are being made for predominant Memon families which are selling for Rs. 23 crore each. Where is this money being generated from?
Higher courts are our last home. Please save this country. Thank you judges. Be blessed.
@Chaudhry
Mr Chuadhry, Malik Riaz has connections he has bureaucrats and retired generals working for him. How can any action be taken against him?
From the start the formation of MDA was for illegal activities.
@Sohail it is people's greed which leads them to lose money in such ventures and people like Malik Riaz take advantage.
@Skeptic Malik Riaz has insurance, nothing positive is going to come out of all this.
@Nawed greed does not always pay.
Malik Riaz: The man who has fooled a whole nation for the last 15 to 20 years. How you asked ? Number 1 is his partnership with Zardari. During Zardari's era, this 'national thief" stole the land like there was no tomorrow. He used to sit in his billion rupees office, spread the map on the table and point out the areas he wanted to acquire with the least resistance. His PR was good, they made a monkey out of the entire country. He is considered to be one the richest property dealer in the world. Poor Pakistanis have lost billions.
Development means improving the plight of poor not at their sacrifice. Some, already rich, want to get richer through illegal means.
There should be a process established for this kind of land development where those adversely affected are fully compensated.
Shame on our elites. A day will come soon (IA) when they will pay.
Honourable CJP should also take notice of massive illegalities within our justice system. People have to wait for their life before getting a decision.
The price of property what it is in Pakistan, an ordinary everyday Pakistani may be able to dream of living in such luxury and nothing more, only dream. Or may be envious of those living such luxurious life. The so-called allottees/investors of these schemes do not require a shelter to live in, they are either working abroad and already own more than one property or have made black money and hide it in these schemes. But I am definite no one will come to harm.
We are proud of our Hounurable Justices of Supreme Court.
All links lead to Zardari.
It is about time that Malik Raiz and his friends are jailed for life.
@naji you are negating yoursel.If these Johnies can dish out 3 to 4 million in a matter of 2-3 years they must be very rich by Pakistani standards where the average income is only few thousands rupees and in no way one can believe,with millions stacked in their lockers,that these investors will soon be on the road.May be they have a house or luxury apartment already and aimed at building a palatial house in Bharia town,famous for investment by our 5 percent rich & elite.Think about those poor people thrown out of their ancestor's lands to provide space to these rich who are not in immediate need of a shelter.I am really flabbergasted and bewildered to read comments like yours who provide impetus to land grabbers on one hand and justify their collaboration with our utterly corrupt bureaucratic system which provides bloodline to public land grabbing Mafia at the cost of general public,who need shelter and decent living opportunities in their lifetime.Shame on these land grabber Mafia
Pakistan is one big real estate mafia for the politicians and an international toll booth for the Chinese.
@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan - Seriously, it is PPP Bahria and MQM. For last 10 years both these two parties have destroyed Khi and Sindh. At least tell a lie that make a sense.
The way Bahria Town Projects came up so fast with in a short period of time clearly makes one understand something has been cooking behind the scene.
Clean Karachi , put parks and forests, clean the water and air , there are already two many people living in Karachi , around twenty million ,10% of Pakistan’s population , while Karachi creates 65 % of Pakistan’s revenue , it only gets two percent so Karachi is being destroyed , slowly slowly, it does not even get the revenue it deserves as per its population .Is this not kind of strange
Time to investigate DHA schemes withe same dilligence also.
This will be AHSAAN of CJP on Pakistani Nation if this case is heard on merit and land is returned and Malik Riaz discloses the hidden names in these transactions.
A few people including myself, have been saying all along, that such a massive leap from rags to riches is just not possible for any one in a single generation with leagl means, unless he/she hits a jackpot (majority of them are also illegal).
@Nomi Goraya My dear friend, similar things have been said in the past for Sharif brothers and Zardari and co.
Well done Judiciary, you are the only hope for the betterment of Pakistan. Stay with dignity the nation is behind you, truth always prevails.
Chief Justice Sahab, please look into dealer and housing mafia in islamabad and rawalpindi also
All you guys saluting the SC decision , which I am not against, like they say justice delayed is like justice denied. SC decision does not take into account of ordinary citizens and investors who porued money into this project, they are asking for another bench to to take up this matter and not setting up any time table , this can take months or years and what will be price of land then who will pay the difference, lets not forget they have barred BT of buying n selling, what if you have to sell your property, who will pay salires of employess and day laborers. During the time when rupee is falling like leaves in autum creating this type uncertinity will cause further money drain. If I know land swal between BT and MDA was illegal I would have refrain from buying into BT, but who knew, I think SC decision is uncomplete and miss out of key fundamentals.
@Moni A very pertinent comment brother. In the first place all industrial and housing project planned for implementation in an area must undergo through an environmental impact assessment scrutiny. The four provincial and federal EPA under the environment Act have the authority to carry out this assignment. After the preparation of the report it is made public and debated. Once the people of the area give their consent, the project is implemented. Under no circumstances a NOC is given to a developer for destruction of protected areas, be it forest or other with natural habitats, national heritage, or for that matter where drinking water & air quality and quality, riparian rights are endangered. By looking at your comment, it is evident that all the above, have been compromised against the interest of country and its people, due to sheer criminal negligence and connivance by those who are supposedly custodians of our natural resources. This is a big money game where favors are bought.
@NJ Guy The Pakistan's educated and urbanize liberals,who are merely a minuscule 15 percent of the total population,and mostly unprofessionals,are suffering from the malaise of offering comments on authencity of a legal verdict drawn up by the highest constitutional court of the country.A country where quacks freely play havoc with the lives of illiterates & ignorants by posing as medical doctors,politicians & others offering unsolicited criticism on intricate legal matters without fear of contempt of court,indicates free for all environment,which is mind boggling.Since you are advocating the fundamental rights of those well todo,in a poor country with more than 40 percent living below poverty line and 50 percent as illiterate,did it struck you that those poor people living on these lands for centuries together & forcefully evicted had fundamental constitutional rights.They didn't have means to legally challenge the might of these tycoons.Why you criticize SC redressing this injustice?
it is very great news
I wish that some day someone in authority would also take notice of the almost complete lack of well planned and affordable housing for our growing population to bridg the huge gap between supply and demand, which in turn is the main driving force behind all illegal construction activity.
Bravo! Dawn for highlighting this judgement. As an investor in BTK, I was also skeptical but the suspicions are coming true. No investor of BTK schemes should make a single rupee of installment payment going forward, until this matter is legally resolved.
Shame on other print, internet and electronic media outlets for being conveniently silent on this story. Multiple parties have been wronged here, the original land owners, thousand of new investors and the national exchequer.
Corruption is rife in Pakistan. The more you dig the more you find.
@Nawed they gambled on greed and lost. happens ALL the time.
A question what will happen to who invested their saving in such projects? Will SC and CJP ask bahria to return the money to owners?
@naji I see that you have not red the article fully. Do read it. The owners will remain owners. Nothing will happen to them. Also Dawn has done a comprehensive expose on BTK, 2 years back, where were you then?
@Suhail It has been done as you say. The installments will go into another account setup by NAB till an agreement following all laws is established between MDA and Bahria.
@Hamza Farooq The owners will remain owners. Read the article carefully...
@Khan
Mr. Khan,
Correct and valid question.
Obviously...a person with no money to buy medicine for his children as he himself confessed has become a billionaire overnight....
@Umair Ahmed, I am repatriated from N Amer--a, I have gone through this article, I know little about its extract, what SC give its first impression. I have not seen SC verdict. It is a complex issue. Stock market and real state can slid sharply due to one statement of these bodies (SC, PM, Income Tax, Excise tax dept etc). Thousands of people are panicky. Don't you know?