QUETTA, Jan 7: The Balochistan High Court stayed on Friday the leasing out of about 500 acres of land in the Liyari sub-tehsil of Lasbela district to the ruler of Dubai and issued notices to the ministry of foreign affairs, Balochistan government and other relevant authorities.

Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail of the BHC was hearing a petition moved by Balochistan Assembly Speaker Mohammad Aslam Bhootani against the provincial government’s decision of leasing out the land to Shaikh Mohammad bin Rashed Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai.

The decision was taken on the recommendations of the ministry of foreign affairs.The petitioner’s counsel Baz Mohammad Kakar said the land being leased out to foreigners belonged to local people. But steps to lease out the land, he said were likely to be taken without consulting the owners of the land, thereby negating the rights of the people enshrined in the Constitution. He said the respondents were acting beyond their jurisdiction.

The court restrained the respondents — the foreign affairs ministry, Balochistan government, senior member of the Board of Revenue, Kalat commissioner, Lasbela deputy commissioner and other authorities — from taking further steps on the matter till the next date of hearing.

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