RAWALPINDI: The Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindi Bench on Wednesday issued strict directives to government authorities for the removal of encroachments in Rawalpindi Press Club Cooperative Housing Society (Media Town) and warned that Punjab chief minister would be summoned over non-compliance of directives.

LHC Justice Jawad Hassan ordered the swift handover of plots to the rightful allottees after removal of encroachments.

In a detailed order, Justice Hassan emphasised the urgency of implementing previous court instructions regarding the possession of plots. The case was initially filed on May 30, 2024, and has since seen multiple hearings and directives aimed at resolving the dispute.

During the latest proceedings, Assistant Commissioner (City), Rawalpindi, Dr Iman Zafar presented a site report confirming that Media Town is located outside the jurisdiction of Rawalpindi city.

Additionally, the Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency (PHATA) acknowledged the presence of encroachments on the plots in question but clarified that its role was limited to development work, and the management of the society has been under the Rawalpindi Press Club since 2011.

A significant development in the case emerged when legal representatives of PHATA and the respondents submitted an additional report, highlighting positive progress in handing over plots to the petitioners.

A letter dated February 10, 2025, from the Punjab Journalist Housing Foundation (PJHF) directed the society’s administration to remove encroachments and deliver possession to the allottees. The court emphasised that this should be carried out with the assistance of district administration, PHATA, Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) and local police.

The LHC referenced the Punjab Journalists Housing Foundation Act, 2004, and the Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency Ordinance, 2002, affirming that authorities have the legal framework to remove unauthorised occupants.

Citing a previous judgement in Mohammad Khalid Javed vs. Lahore Development Authority (PLD 2021 Lahore 211), the court reiterated that delays in handing over legally allotted plots violate fundamental rights under Articles 23 and 24 of the Constitution.

In its latest order, the court directed the secretary of the Information Department, the director general of PHATA and secretary of the cooperative department to ensure implementation of these directives before the next hearing on February 28.

It warned that failure to comply may result in summoning of top government officials, including the Punjab chief minister and information minister, to expedite the resolution in line with Article 37(d) of the Constitution, which mandates timely justice.

Published in Dawn, February 13th, 2025