SC takes note of ignoring police jawans for Foundation's plots

25 Jun, 2013

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Tuesday expressed dissatisfaction over discriminatory allotments of residential plots in National Police Foundation (NPF) saying the jawwans were ignored all together.

A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry and Justice Gulzar Ahmed resumed hearing in a suo-moto case regarding the land scam of NPF.

During the course of proceeding, the bench observed that many police officers were awarded more than one plot setting aside rules and regulations.

Counsel for Anjum Aqeel apprised the court that he was ready to pay the price money of 126 kanal and 4 marlas land to the NPF adding that the amount would be paid as freedom money to save his reputation.

The bench questioned if Aqeel believes that he was not guilty then why was he ready to pay the the price money ?.

Counsel for Aqeel maintained that through an independent audit it can be ascertained that there was no shortage of land as also stated in the reports filed by NPF, FIA and CDA.

Hamid Khan, counsel for Iftikhar Ahmed Khan, Laiq Ahmed Khan, Abdul Hannan and Khuda Bakhsh also appeared before the court and stated that basic controversy was the number of plots taken by these people.

Giving details of the plots owned by these officials, Hamid stated that Iftikhar Ahmed Khan who was a former Managing Director of NPF had owned only one plot.

Laiq Ahmed Khan, former Director of Housing had one plot on his name, one was given as a reward, one plot was owned by his son, one by his daughter in law and one by his daughter, Hamid explained.

About Abdul Hannan, Hamid told the bench that he had 7 plots while Khuda Bakhsh had 4 plots.

Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry questioned whether any advertisement was given for the sale of these plots, upon which Hamid Khan presented the press clipping.

Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry while expressing dissatisfaction stated that the said advertisement was vague which did not show the sizes of plots, mode of payment, closing date etc.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry remarked that all the plots were distributed among high officials and not even a single plot was given to a 'police jawan' who performs duty under the blazing sun and receives bullets at his chest.

He expressed annoyance while saying that the foundation was started in the name of low ranked police officials and widows of police officials but the purpose was not achieved.

Meanwhile, the counsels for Haq Nawaz Kiyani retired SSP, Muhammad Khan retired MD NPF and Syed Riffat Mustafa Deputy Director Budget and Accounts of NPF also appeared before the bench and cleared their stance over holding more than one plot in the foundation.

The bench observed that the plots in the NPF were not used for the purpose they should have been.

The court was adjourned for July 2.

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