RAWALPINDI:The divisional administration and the Rawalpindi District Bar Association on Tuesday failed to reach an agreement over sparing lawyers’ chambers at the district courts, which have been partially demolished with the commencement of work on the remodeling of Kutchery Chowk.

Lawyers were opposing divisional administration’s plan to further demolish the chambers in the district court under revised plan to widen the Jhelum Road.

They said that the administration had already razed half of 13 chambers and more than 75-year-old mosque of district courts and they would not allow any further demolition.

The meeting was held at commissioner office which was attended by Commissioner Aamir Khattak, Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema and other senior officials from the district administration’s side while the District Bar Association was represented by its President Sardar Manzar Bashir Khan and secretary General Asad Mehood Malik and others.

After the meeting, the District Bar Association President Sardar Manzar Bashir Khan told Dawn that the administration wanted to demolish two more blocks of the District Courts after making changes in the design. He said that the bar association had refused to allow any further demolition. “We have proposed the administration to demolish the constructions on the other side of the road,” he added.

“We have already lost parking area land, four commercial shops and chambers in the name of Kutchery Chowk remodeling. District Bar Association used to collect Rs7 to 8 million a year from the parking fee from lawyers and litigants, which we will lose,” he said.

He said that there was no proper parking area developed by the administration for the lawyers and litigants and people had to face difficulties to reach the district courts.

On the other hand, Commissioner Aamir Khattak, in a statement,said that every person whose business or property is affected during the execution of this project will be adequately compensated by the government.

He further emphasised that efforts are being made to provide compensation for loss of business to the chambers and shops affected in the Kutchery area. During the meeting, lawyers presented their concerns and suggestions, which included ensuring access to the courts and public convenience during the construction phase.

Assistant Commissioner Cantonment presented the proposal for improvement of traffic flow. According to the proposal, a connecting slip lane from Nazar Chowk to Ammar Chowk in front of Old Kutchery, is under consideration. This would improve traffic flow and minimise inconvenience for both lawyers and the litigants.

Commissioner Rawalpindi expressed gratitude for the cooperation of the lawyers and remarked that this temporary inconvenience will ultimately result in long-term relief for the public. He stressed the importance of extending full cooperation to the government machinery to ensure the smooth completion of the project.

The commissioner directed immediate implementation of the traffic management proposal and reiterated that the Kutchery Chowk Flyover Project would be completed on schedule with public cooperation, providing a permanent solution to Rawalpindi’s chronic traffic problems.

Published in Dawn, November 12th, 2025