ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has ordered the administration to provide a complete record of the ‘Northridge Housing Society,’ located in Sector C-12, which is allegedly encroaching upon the Margala Hills National Park.
The court requested this information after a lawyer revealed that the society’s owners have a close connection to retired Lt Gen Faiz Hameed. Barrister Umer Ijaz Gillani, representing a client, stated that the owner shares a significant relationship with Hameed but admitted he had no documentation to prove ownership.
A three-member bench led by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa was addressing contempt of court petitions regarding the violation of a June 11 order to relocate restaurants, including Monal, from the national park.
During the hearing, environmentalist Hameed Khan sought to join the case, and the court granted his request. The Supreme Court then directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the chief commissioner to provide complete ownership records of the housing society along with necessary documents.
Hameed Khan’s application alleged that the CDA had illegally transferred 78 kanal of Forest Department land, which is part of the Margalla Hills, to the housing society, allowing them to profit by selling plots on this encroached land.
Regarding the Monal restaurant, the Chief Justice referred the case of Islamabad civil judge Inamullah to the Islamabad High Court for potentially blocking the Supreme Court’s order, as he had stayed the demolition of the restaurant despite the apex court’s directive.
The court expressed concern over the judge’s actions, noting that the stay order was issued without proper examination and without payment of court fees. The court emphasized that the civil judge’s actions hindered the implementation of its order and constituted contempt of court.
The court also raised concerns about negative propaganda against the judiciary on social media and questioned whether media should focus on judicial matters or individuals.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Advocate General Shah Faisal informed the bench that construction in the Margalla Hills is prohibited under the Forest Lands Act 2002. Interestingly, the Dino Valley Amusement Park, owned by Luqman Ali Afzal, is also located in this area and is connected to the Monal restaurant.
As a result, the Supreme Court issued a notice to the owners of Dino Valley but discharged the contempt notice previously issued to Luqman Ali Afzal on August 15.