ISLAMABAD, Dec 24: The Supreme Court will take up from Monday two petitions, one against rising incidents of abduction of women and the other against the conversion of a five-acre public park in the capital into a commercial mini golf course and contracting it to a private party.

A four-member bench of the Supreme Court comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, Justice Faqir Mohammad Khokhar, Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan and Justice M Javed Buttar will initiate hearing of the petition against the golf course. The petition, filed by Karachi lawyer Maulvi Iqbal Haider, Chairman Awami Himayat Tehrik Pakistan, has sought direction against the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to produce the “resolution” relating to conversion of park land into the mini golf course.

Meanwhile, the same bench will also take up a human rights petition against abduction of women, filed by Malik Ghulam Qasim. He in his petition held deteriorating law and order directly responsible for rising abduction incidents of women and apathy of law enforcing agencies including the police towards this sorry state of affairs.

Maulvi Iqbal Haider, in his petition, pleaded that if the CDA resolution had permitted such conversion, the CDA be directed to re-invite bidding through national newspapers and the land be awarded to the highest bidder.

CDA and Shah Sharabeel, owner of Alfalah Mini Golf Lahore are respondents in the petition.

The five-acre prime land of F-7 public park was allegedly leased out to Shah Sharabeel without inviting general expression of interest or calling tenders from the public.

Under the lease agreement, the private party had been allowed to use the place for joint venture, franchise, fun fair, basant and other activities like holding of cultural events on the land meant for general public, the petition said.

He contended that this lease agreement was in violation of fundamental rights and certain constitutional provisions besides causing huge loss to the public exchequer.

According to him, the prime land had been leased out for a period of 15 years with an extendible period while CDA will charge Rs2.55 million per year with an increase of 25 per cent rent after every five years whereas rent will start one year after the start of mini golf course project.

CDA cannot delegate its powers of franchise or sub- contracting to a private party, he pleaded adding that the party had also been allowed by the Capital Development Authority to cut trees from the park land and to earn huge amount through sponsorships by subletting sign displays.

Meanwhile, the same bench will also take up the petition of Malik Ghulam Qasim against abduction of women accusing that deteriorating condition of law and order was directly responsible for giving rise to abduction incidents of women and apathy of law enforcing agencies including the police towards this sorry state of affairs.