LAHORE: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa has expressed his concern over the “change of character of the GOR-1 for worse”, pointing out illegal construction of guardrooms on green areas outside some of the residences.

During his stay at the Chief Justice’s Rest House in the GOR-1 from April 15 to 19, the CJP noted that the entry into the area was restricted and no one could enter there without security checks, but still

guardrooms were illegally constructed outside several residences.

“If a guard is required, he should be within the premises of the residence of the person to be guarded,” he said.

The concerns expressed by the CJP were conveyed to the Punjab chief secretary by Supreme Court registrar through a letter. The registrar said that the unnecessary wasteful expenditure on construction of walls around each residence in the GOR also concerned the CJP.

“Is it justifiable to spend public resources on walls within the secured GOR,?” the registrar asked on behalf of CJP Isa. He also asked why the earlier practice of installing fences had been discarded?

Seeking Punjab chief secretary’s response, the registrar has also sought the rules and regulation regarding the buildings and construction, including walls, within the GOR.

Meanwhile, in a prompt response, the Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD) has written a letter to the Lahore High Court (LHC) registrar, seeking removal of the guardrooms/checkposts constructed outside 17 residences of the LHC judges in the GOR-I.

A letter written by theGOR-1 property manager says the CJP, during his recent stay in the GOR, noted with concern that despite restricted entry into the area, guardrooms in the open green areas have been illegally constructed outside the premises of some residences.

The S&GAD requested the LHC registrar to make necessary arrangements for removal of the guardrooms/checkposts or to move these structures inside the residences of 17 LHC judges.

The 17 GOR-1 residences occupied by the LHC judges, which also have guardrooms/checkposts on open green areas are: 19-Aikman Road; 1-A, 1-B, 2, 4, 10 and 12 Tollinton Road; 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 Tollinton Lane; 8-B, 12-B, 14-B and 15-B Golf Road; and 1-D Club Road.

Sources in the S&GAD say there are also several other residences, occupied by bureaucrats and ministers, having guardrooms on open green areas, adding that those residing in these houses would also be instructed to remove these illegal structures at the earliest.

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2024