LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday issued a notice to Sialkot Deputy Commissioner Sabah Asghar on a contempt petition alleging violation of the court’s stay order regarding the acquisition of land belonging to a women’s university.

Justice Hassan Nawaz Makhdoom heard the contempt petition filed by Naveed Khalid, who sought proceedings against the deputy commissioner (DC) for allegedly acting in violation of the court’s orders.

The judge directed the DC to submit her response within three weeks.

Appearing on behalf of the petitioner, Advocate Mian Dawood argued that the court had already suspended all proceedings relating to the acquisition of Sialkot Women University’s land.

However, he stated, despite the stay order, the DC wrote to the communications and works department, seeking steps for construction on the disputed land.

The counsel said the DC’s letter sought the layout plan and master plan for a proposed project to establish government offices on the university’s land.

He contended that moving forward with the project despite the court’s restraining order amounted to contempt of court.

He requested the court to initiate contempt proceedings against the Sialkot DC Sabah Asghar for allegedly violating the judicial order.

Justice Makhdoom, after hearing initial arguments, issued a notice to the DC and sought her reply within three weeks.

In the main petition, the petitioner had pointed out that 200 acres had been allocated by the Punjab government in 2005 for the establishment of Government College Women University (GCWU), Sialkot, where construction had been completed and students were currently enrolled.

He alleged that the district government, at the behest of Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who belongs to Sialkot, had been attempting to take back 120 acres of the university’s land.

The court had on March 26 issued a stay order against the acquisition of the university’s land.

Published in Dawn, June 18th, 2026