ISLAMABAD: The Isla­mabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday directed the capital’s administration to de-seal the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House.

The building, which was the site of the cat-and-mouse chase between KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and law enfor­c­ement agencies last week, was sealed by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) for allegedly violating building rules.

The action was taken on Monday, a few days after police raided the building to arrest Mr Gandapur, who was housed there after leading a caravan of PTI supporters from Peshawar to Islamabad for a protest against constitutional amendments and the imprisonment of PTI founder Imran Khan.

The provincial government moved IHC against CDA’s action.

After hearing the arguments from both sides, IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq ruled that CDA’s action was without legal authority as no valid notice was issued to the petitioner before sealing the building.

During the hearing, CDA’s counsel, Amir Latif Gill, stated that the premises had been sealed due to multiple breaches of the lease agreement, including unlawful construction and unpaid dues. He argued that the building’s lease had also expired.

The petitioner’s counsel argued that the sealing was unjustified and unlawful since no notice was ever served prior to the action in violation of due process.

When the court asked about the notices served to KP House officials, the CDA counsel failed to produce any copy of the notices.

Earlier, CDA officials had claimed that KP House has been repeatedly served notices since 2014, but the official “did not comply” with the authority’s directives.

KP Advocate General Shah Faisal Usman Khail assured the court that any outstanding dues would be paid and compliance with the lease terms would be ensured.

In its ruling, the court concluded that CDA sealed the building without issuing a proper notice, which was unlawful.

It instructed the CDA to de-seal the property immediately. However, the court clarified that CDA had the right to take appropriate legal action against the petitioner if any lease violations were found, provided due process was followed.

Published in Dawn, October 11th, 2024

Opinion

Editorial

Canal unrest
Updated 03 Apr, 2025

Canal unrest

With rising water scarcity in Indus system, it is crucial to move towards a consensus-driven policymaking process.
Iran-US tension
03 Apr, 2025

Iran-US tension

THE Trump administration’s threats aimed at Iran do not bode well for global peace, and unless Washington changes...
Flights to history
03 Apr, 2025

Flights to history

MOHENJODARO could have been the forgotten gold we desperately need. Instead, this 5,000-year-old well of antiquity ...
Eid amidst crises
Updated 31 Mar, 2025

Eid amidst crises

Until the Muslim world takes practical steps to end these atrocities, these besieged populations will see no joy.
Women’s rights
Updated 01 Apr, 2025

Women’s rights

Such judgements, and others directly impacting women’s rights should be given more airtime in media.
Not helping
Updated 02 Apr, 2025

Not helping

If it's committed to peace in Balochistan, the state must draw a line between militancy and legitimate protest.