ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court has raised serious questions over the Islamabad Traffic Police’s unauthorised construction of a park on land belonging to the Capital Development Authority (CDA), following the relocation of its old office near Faizabad.

Justice Raja Inam Ameen Minhas, while presiding over a case related to traffic rule violations, sought a detailed report on how the traffic police were able to build a park on CDA land without proper authorisation.

The issue came to light during a hearing on Friday when it was revealed that the old traffic police office—initially constructed on a green belt—had been demolished and replaced by a new office, also built on a green belt near Faizabad.

The previous site was then converted into a park by the traffic police.

Advocate Kashif Ali Malik, representing the petitioner, argued that the traffic police had overstepped their authority by constructing buildings and parks on green belts, which are under the jurisdiction of the CDA.

He submitted photographic evidence of the newly developed park and highlighted the urgent need to prevent such unauthorised land use.

“The traffic police have no authority to develop parks. Their job is to regulate traffic, not manage land or green belts,” said Justice Minhas.

He expressed concern over the misuse of public land and emphasised the need for accountability.

Advocate Malik also presented statistics from a 2016–17 report, which recorded 226 traffic accidents resulting in 129 deaths and 124 injuries, underscoring the critical need for improved traffic regulation.

He further cited the 2024 traffic police report, which revealed that fines worth Rs40 million were imposed on traffic violators.

“The core mandate of the traffic police is enforcement, not revenue generation,” he asserted.

The court was informed that amendments had been made to the draft traffic rules. Justice Minhas ordered the authorities to submit a comprehensive report on the amendments and the legality of the constructions undertaken by the traffic police.

Terming the matter “serious,” the court adjourned the hearing and directed that a detailed report be presented at the next session, scheduled for next Friday.

Published in Dawn, May 17th, 2025