LAHORE, March 22: The Chief Justice of Pakistan on Thursday directed Lahore Development Authority (LDA) to restore the park in 10 days that was uprooted over the orders of former finance minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar for the construction of road outside his residence in Lahore.
A three-member bench of the Supreme Court Lahore Registry headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar heard on Thursday suo motu case of construction of road near house of former finance minister Ishaq Dar in Lahore. The court rejected the apology of LDA Director General in the matter.
During the hearing, the CJP inquired, “On whose directions the road was made while digging up the park.” “Ishaq Dar had requested for widening the road for parking,” replied LDA DG Zahid Akhtar Zaman. The CJP asked whether Dar had submitted a written application in this regard. “Ishaq Dar called me and verbally asked to construct the road,” said Zaman. The court while expressing severe resentment over LDA DG remarked, “What type of an officer are you? You uprooted the park over the verbal directions of a minister. I will not allow favouritism here. A case should be run against you according to the laws of NAB.”
Following this, Zaman sought unconditional apology from the court. “The time to apologize has passed in the court. Tell us in writing how much area did the park covered. Bring record along with an affidavit. Also inform the court about the details of expenditure on the construction of road,” said the CJP. – Sabah
