ISLAMABAD
Supreme Court (SC) has given a big relief to Punjab government. The court while allowing Punjab government to continue work on Ravi Urban Development Project (RUDP) has suspended Lahore High Court (LHC) decision on scrapping RUDP. A 3-member bench of SC presided over by Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan took up the case for hearing Monday.
While reprimanding Punjab government legal team for not making preparations for the case, Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan inquired what is wrong in high court decision. You people don’t know what is this case.
Additional Advocate General (AAG) Punjab told the court Punjab government was not respondent in the case about which the decision was given. The petitions were against the public hearing of environmental agency.
Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan remarked overall 18 petitions were filed . It makes no difference if there was no respondent in one petition. Punjab government had presented its stance in high court. Don’t go to technical points. Talk on solid points.
He further observed the acquisition of land for project was also challenged as per record. The lawyers of provincial government should not give wrong statement in the court. High court has given reference of US constitution. The constitution and circumstances of US and Pakistan are different. Counsel for RUDP told the court high court has declared the promulgation of ordinance as delegated powers. Housing societies were the petitioners in high court.
The SC while allowing Punjab government to continue work on RUDP has ordered the work can be continued on the land against which the payment has been made to their owners. No work can be done on the land against which payment has not been made to their owners.
The court while issuing notice to the respondents on government appeal pleas maintained that court would review if intra court appeal could be filed against the decision. If intra court appeal can be filed then case will be referred to LHC.
