Allotments in cantonment: Senate body wakes up to plot owners woes

[Salman]

Allotments in cantonment: Senate body wakes up to plot owners woes

RAWALPINDI, July 16: The Senate Standing Committee on Defense on Monday finally took notice of the plight of plot owners in old jail area near Jinnah Park Rawalpindi who are being stopped by garrison authorities from constructing houses despite having a favorable court verdict.

The committee was informed about the plight of plot owners who were allotted nearly 25 kanals land in 1998 through an open auction by Punjab government in cantonment limits but they were still running from pillar to post to construct their dream houses.

It was informed that the allottees had not only made full payment but also got building plans approved. However, when they went to construct houses, the military authorities stopped them. The ministry withdrew from and apologised for its written statement claiming that the Lahore High Court (LHC) had ordered the Punjab government to return the principal amount along with interest to the allottees of plots and surrender the land to military control.

The apology was offered after Senator Farhatullah Babar read out excerpts from the LHC Rawalpindi bench verdict of 2006 that had actually directed the garrison authorities and other respondents to facilitate the plot owners and refrain from interfering in the construction work initiated by the allottees.

“The court order even contained directions for the police to register criminal cases against any interference and intrusion from any of the respondents,” Mr Babar said showing anger over the ‘incorrect’ version of the verdict presented earlier by officials of defense ministry.

Mr Babar regretted that despite court’s clear orders in favour of the allottees, the plot owners were still being denied their right of constructing houses on their legitimate land adding that many allottees had even died while waiting to construct homes.

Secretary Defense Nargis Sethi then turned towards the Director-General Military Land and Cantonment (MLC) who conceded that the excerpts quoted by the member (Babar) reflected the latest judicial verdict in the case. The member also challenged the contention that the cantonment board had sought a review of the judgment or appealed against it.

At this point, Sethi withdrew the written plea submitted to the committee and said that she would revert to the issue again during the next meeting.

The proceedings were perceived as a ray of hope by the affected plot owners.

Ikramul Haq, one of the plot owners told Dawn that he was quite happy that finally a government forum had taken notice of their plight and wished that cantonment authorities would not stop them from constructing houses.

“The respondents – RCB, defense ministry and Punjab government – have committed contempt of court by denying us of our legitimate right.

“Four allottees have died in the course of getting justice and we cannot wait anymore,” the plot owner further said.

It is to be mentioned here that the issue landed in the Senate committee after a news item appeared in Dawn that a powerful high court verdict in favour of the allottees was not being implemented by the respondents despite a lapse of six years.