ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed on Tuesday questioned the military for conducting commercial activities on government land, saying that the law did not allow land meant for defence purposes to be used for commercial gains.
A three-judge bench headed by the chief justice and comprising Justice Qazi Mohammad Amin Ahmed and Justice Ijazul Ahsan resumed the hearing on the issue of military lands being used for commercial purposes.
Defence Secretary retired Lt Gen Mian Mohammad Hilal appeared in the court and presented a report which was declared “unsatisfactory” by the judge. CJP Gulzar again grilled the Defence Secretary over commercial establishments being built on military land.
“The law’s intention is not that defence land is used for any other purpose,” Justice Gulzar reiterated, adding, “If the land is not being used for defence then it will go back to the government.”
“This is government land,” the top judge said, noting that cinemas, petrol pumps, housing societies, shopping malls and marriage halls were being constructed on land meant for defence.
“General sahib, these are not defence purposes,” he told the defence secretary. The CJP pointed out that schools and marriage halls had also been built on Faisal Base land.
“It is being said that Masroor and Korangi airbases are being shut and perhaps commercial activities will be started there,” the CJP added. He noted that cantonment land had to be returned to the government after defence objectives were met.
“The army should not compromise on its bigger objectives for petty business,” Justice Qazi Amin remarked, adding that the military should be mindful of the sanctity of its institution.
The chief justice noted that all illegal buildings were being demolished in Karachi and noted that large walls have been erected on Karsaz road and the service road has been pushed further away from the road. “If we let these remain, how will we demolish other buildings and structures?” he remarked.
He said cantonment land cannot be divided into different categories. Justice Ahmed remarked that the Pearl Marquee and Grand Convention Hall are still standing. “The wall running alongside the Kala Pul and the Grand Convention Hall must be demolished immediately,” he added.
Justice Ahmed said this practice is “found on cantonment board lands all over the country”. The chief justice then asked the defence secretary what his plans ahead are, to which the secretary responded by saying that a committee of all the three military services has been formed which will identify illegal constructions.
