MULTAN: The Multan bench of the Lahore High Court has directed the Cantonment Board to stop the auction process of collecting parking fee from various locations.

Zeeshan Ahmad, a resident of Sajimabad, filed a petition with the court stating that he had to park his bike at the parking area of Khan Centre and he was charged fee illegally and forcibly despite the fact that the Cantonment Board Multan (CBM) and its contractors were not authorised to collect parking fee from various locations including Cantonment Garden, Main Cantonment Bazaar.

Opposite F. G. School No.1, Mall Plaza, Metro Plaza, Habib Bank Aziz Shaheed Road parking, Lalak Jaan park and parking of Khan Centre, Abdali Road, because of the Supreme Court verdict reported in 2015 SCMR 1385, and various sections of the Cantonments Board Act 1924.

He stated that through a newspaper advertisement he came to know that the board was going to auction the collection of parking fee on Oct 20 for the year 2021-2022 for various locations.

He stated that as per Cantonment Act of 1924, the board has got no power or lawful authority to levy parking fee.

He said he contacted the respondents and requested them to stop the charging of parking fee/tax from visitors to various cantonment locations but in vain.

He requested the court to declare the process to auction the collection of parking fee illegal, null and void and without lawful authority besides restraining the respondents from collecting the levy by themselves, through their agents, attorneys, employees, subordinates directly or indirectly in any manner.

Justice Muhammad Shan Gul while stopping the CBM from auction process directed to submit the comments besides giving an opportunity of personal hearing to the petitioner.

Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2021