LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday directed the capital city police officer (CCPO) to take action against criminals operating in Miani Sahib graveyard and sought a report from the deputy commissioner about reserved ahatas (compounds) in the graveyard.

Justice Ali Akbar Qureshi was hearing a petition against encroachment of the graveyard’s land and a lack of action by the authorities concerned for the recovery of the illegally occupied land.

Deputy Commissioner Sumair Ahmad, CCPO Amin Wains and Miani Sahib Committee Secretary Bashir Ahmad appeared before the court.

During the hearing, the judge expressed concern over construction of houses on a land allocated for a mosque in the graveyard. The judge observed that the court would see this matter in depth and those responsible for illegality would be taken to task.

Justice Qureshi also directed the committee secretary to rectify the affairs saying the land of the graveyard was the land of the state. He asked the CCPO to remain watchful as there could be a grand operation against the land grabbers in the next few days.

The judge adjourned further proceedings till Thursday (today) and directed the CCPO to launch an action against the criminal elements operating in the graveyard and also sought a detailed report on the compounds reserved by individuals in the graveyard.

Published in Dawn, May 31st, 2018