RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: Hearing a contempt plea, the Supreme Court on Wednesday summoned Metropolitan Commissioner Karachi Hanif Muhammad Mirchiwala for encroachment and construction on an amenity plot in Ranchhor Lane where Baloch Park was established in 2007.

On October 23, 2008, the apex court had disposed of the case when officials from the local government’s parks department assured that the illegal constructions would not be allowed to be raised on the park’s land. Even then illegal construction was being raised again to which contempt pleas were filed before the Supreme Court which had issued notice to the administrator, former administrator and another officer to appear in court but they failed to do so, so the court issued bailable warrants for their arrest.

However, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) officials had tendered unconditional apology for defying the court orders but the apex court rejected their verbal apology and directed them to submit written apology.

Resuming two contempt pleas on Wednesday, a three-member bench led by Justice Gulzar Ahmed said that there is still encroachment on the Baloch Park plot.

After the court passed the order about summoning Hanif Muhammad Mirchiwala, former Metropolitan Commissioner Dr Badar Jameel requested the bench to exempt him from appearance in the matter.

Seeking comprehensive report from KMC in the matter, the bench also asked Dr Badar to appear before the court in the matter.

Rejecting the request of Dr Badar, the bench said in its order, “Let notice be issued to Hanif Muhammad Mirchiwala to come up with comprehensive report regarding compliance with the court order while appearing in person whereas Dr Badar will also appear in person in the matter.”

Hearing of the matter was fixed after two weeks.