HARIPUR: The district administration on Monday removed the kiosks it had erected on a portion of the historical playground of Regional Professional Development Centre (RPDC), Haripur, about four years ago after a prolonged litigation.

According to litigation record and letters sent to the provincial government and the district administration from the office of RPDC principal, in October 2020, the administration occupied the northeastern portion of the playground by establishing a few kiosks for running a sasta bazaar without the consent of the centre’s high-ups.

The facility was later converted into a market with over 10 shops made of corrugated sheets and iron rods.

On public complaints, the then judge consumer court had ordered an inquiry by the assistant director consumer protection, who endorsed the playground’s land belonged to RPDC, and that occupation of a portion of the playground had affected the sports activities of the youth from the surrounding localities and the centre’s students.

The consumer court judge, while acting on the fact-finding report, had on December 12, 2021, directed the Haripur deputy commissioner to vacate the playground within 10 days.

However, the district administration and TMA moved the court against the order. The consumer court again conducted an inquiry, which also endorsed the plea of RPDC’s administration and the assistant director consumer protection.

Consumer court judge Ms Muneera Abbasi had, upon completion of arguments from both the sides, again on November 16, 2022, issued an oral order asking the DC to vacate the playground within a week.

But the DC office again moved the Peshawar High Court’s Abbottabad Bench, seeking the cancellation of consumer court’s order.

The provincial scrutiny committee led by provincial law secretary discussed the matter of litigation between the DC office and principal RPDC on Feb 15, 2023, and advised that the writ petition pending with the PHC’s Abbottabad Bench should be withdrawn.

The additional advocate general and additional assistant commissioner revenue, Haripur, Ejaz Ahmed Jadoon appeared before the court on behalf of the petitioner, deputy commissioner, and prayed for the withdrawal of the writ petition. The PHC bench allowed the same on April 4, 2024, leading to removal of cabins from the playground.

When contacted, RPDC principal Hanifullah told Dawn the administration had removed the cabins on the orders of provincial secretary law.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2024