Lahore: LHC CJ takes notice of occupation of private land for road construction

[Naveed Yaseen]

LAHORE: Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice (CJ) Khawaja Muhammad Sharif on Tuesday took suo motu notice of alleged occupation of private land by the Punjab highway and works departments for construction of road along with BRB canal. The CJ observed every citizen had the right to retain the ownership of his property, and that his right of compensation could not be denied if the property was required for public use. The CJ remarked since the applicant had been deprived of his valuable property, he was inclined to take its notice. He directed the officials of the departments concerned to appear before the court today (Wednesday) along with complete record. The CJ directed the Punjab advocate general to ensure compliance with the order and to appear before the court for assistance. According to details, one Abdul Rehman, a resident of Dogage village, moved an application that the government had forcibly used his four acres of land for the construction of a road along the BRB canal. He said he had moved a constitutional petition before the LHC, which was decided in his favour on June 11, 2007, and copies of the order were sent to the departments, but he had not been paid compensation. staff report

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