The Supreme Court, under the leadership of Chief Justice of Pakistan
(CJP) Qazi Faez Isa, has urged the federal government to ensure that
the armed forces prioritize defense-related matters over commercial
activities. The case, initiated by former CJP Gulzar Ahmed in 2021,
investigates the alleged misuse of cantonment board lands in Karachi
for commercial purposes instead of their intended strategic
use.
During the proceedings, Justice Isa expressed
apprehension about the military's operation of marriage halls on
military lands. He requested assurance from Attorney General for
Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan that the armed forces would abstain from
engaging in business ventures, emphasizing the importance of
institutions adhering to their designated roles.
The court
also examined a dispute involving the Evacuee’s Trust Property
Board (ETPB), focusing on the purported fraudulent sale of land
allotted to an individual who subsequently erected a five-story
building on the property. Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar questioned the
ETPB's oversight during construction, with Chief Justice Isa
highlighting the involvement of the Sindh Building Control
Authority.
In its directives, the court mandated the
Federal Board of Revenue to audit assets at the Karachi registry,
aiming to ensure transparency and accountability in the utilization
of military lands and assets. The case emphasizes the need to
delineate responsibilities and prevent military entanglement in
commercial endeavors, safeguarding the integrity of defense-related
activities.
0 Comments