PESHAWAR: Peshawar High Court on Tuesday returned a petition of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government challenging the sealing of KP House in Islamabad by Capital Development Authority (CDA).

A bench consisting of the Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim and Justice Wiqar Ahmad directed the KP advocate general Shah Faisal Uthmankhel to approach the Islamabad High Court in whose jurisdiction the action had taken place.

The advocate general stated that KP House was the property of the provincial government in Islamabad.

He said KP House was sealed by CDA without any legal justification. He stated that all the provincial governments had their houses in Islamabad, but the CDA had taken action only against KP House, which showed mala fide on its part.

When the inquired as to who had taken action against KP House, the AG stated it was taken by CDA.

The bench observed that CDA was an independent body and a building control authority and was not functioning in the jurisdiction of PHC.

The AG stated that there were several families of the staffers of KP House also having their residential quarters there and because of sealing of the premises they were now shelter- less.

The chief justice also inquired from the AG if Peshawar Development Authority took any action in Peshawar, could it be challenged in Islamabad High Court.

Mr Uthmankhel stated that KP House was constructed in 1975 and its building plan was also prepared in Peshawar.

Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2024