During a Supreme Court Karachi Registry hearing, Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa expressed awareness of ongoing illegal activities in Karachi.
The Supreme Court Karachi Registry session, led by Chief Justice Isa, revolved around a petition challenging the commercialization of Chaudhry Khaliq-uz-Zaman Road.
The court interrogated the builder’s lawyer about the commercialization fee’s recipient. The lawyer confirmed that the fee was directed to the Master Plan Department. Upon further questioning regarding the payment receipts, the lawyer revealed that the fees were paid to KMC, among others, and requested additional time to produce the receipts. Remarkably, despite constructing a 22-story building, the builder’s party lacked the necessary receipts, a point noted by Chief Justice Isa with concern.
The petitioner’s counsel argued against the road’s commercialization, leading the court to direct the submission of payment records. Subsequent notices were issued to the Master Plan Department, KMC, and Clifton Cantonment Board to produce records concerning the commercialization for review in the next hearing scheduled for April 25th.
In a related case concerning the ownership dispute of a government plot in Clifton, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab appeared before the Supreme Court upon court orders. When questioned by Chief Justice Isa regarding his awareness of the summons, Mayor Wahab indicated his reliance on media reports for information and his plans to consult Farogh Naseem for case details. However, Justice Jamal Mandokhail pointed out Naseem’s conflict of interest as he represented the opposition.
Mayor Wahab clarified that the City District Government lodged the original complaint, which is now under the Karachi Development Authority (KDA) jurisdiction. This revelation prompted Chief Justice Isa to express his frustration over the apparent mismanagement and waste of judicial time, revealing a disconnect within the administrative bodies involved.
Further complications arose when the court addressed the Director-General of KDA about the absence of their legal representation and the lack of active pursuit in the case. The DG requested time to prepare a comprehensive report.
The proceedings have been adjourned until April 26th, and further developments and the required documentation from the involved parties are awaiting.
