PTI vs. CDA: Court Reserves Decision on Sealing Dispute

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has recently concluded hearings on the petition filed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) challenging the sealing of its central secretariat by the Capital Development Authority (CDA). The case, overseen by Justice Thaman Rifat Imtiaz, saw arguments presented by PTI's legal representatives, Shoaib Shaheen and Umair Baloch, as well as Hafiz Arafat representing CDA and state counsel Malik Abdul Rehman from the district administration.

Shaheen raised concerns about the omission of the latest notice by CDA, alleging fraudulent behavior on their part. He pointed out that the notices were addressed to the landowner, Sartaj Ali, instead of PTI. In response, CDA's lawyer claimed that PTI had purchased commercial land for political purposes and had made unauthorized constructions on the property, causing disturbances to nearby residents.

The court, during the proceedings, questioned the issuance of notices only to the landowner and not the tenant in case of rented property, suggesting a more inclusive approach to resolving the issue. Following these discussions, the court reserved its decision on PTI's plea.

On May 24, the CDA sealed the PTI Central Secretariat in Sector G-84 due to violations of building regulations as part of its crackdown on unauthorized constructions. The operation led to the demolition of unauthorized structures and the arrest of PTI Islamabad President Aamir Mughal. Despite multiple warnings and notices issued to the plot owner, compliance was not achieved, leading to the sealing order on May 10, 2024.

This case highlights the importance of adhering to building regulations and the legal processes involved in property disputes. It serves as a reminder for all parties involved to ensure compliance with the law to avoid such confrontations and legal actions in the future.