Pakistan Supreme Court increases troubles for Imran Khan

The apex court of the country asked Khan to pay penalty to get his residence regularised.

Imran Khan/ Image: Facebook

New Delhi:  Supreme Court of Pakistan observed on Monday that Prime Minister Imran Khan should be the first to pay a penalty to get his posh residence in Bani Gala in Islamabad regularised. Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar recalled that it was Khan who had approached the apex court regarding illegal constructions in Bani Gala and said that he would himself have to initiate the process of regularisation by paying the required fee. The case regarding encroachments in Bani Gala, a residential area located in Islamabad on the eastern bank of Rawal Lake, was heard by a three member bench of Supreme Court headed by Justice Nisar. Khan had knocked the doors of the Supreme Court drawing attention towards the massive encroachment, unchecked construction, massive tree felling and pollution of Rawal Lake due to sewage. The country’s apex court, however, turned the tables on Khan and said it is the job of the newly elected PTI government to regularise all the properties located in Bani Gala area, including his private residence, Dawn newspaper. The apex court observed that it is the job of Imran’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led (PTI) to regularise all properties located in the Bani Gala area, including his private residence, Dawn newspaper reported. Directing the federal government to regularise all constructions in the area, including its own the court said “Imran Khan should submit fees towards regularisation before anyone else.” “Those responsible for illegal constructions need to be fined,” the top judge remarked. He remarked Imran Khan will also have to get his property regularised and if it is not already, then he should pay a penalty and get it done. He observed that while the constructions outside the limits of Korang riverbed could not be razed, those within its perimeters are “not acceptable in any condition”. Wrapping up the case to the extent of encroachments, the bench also ordered the government to pay its own penalties, and collect those due to be paid by citizens. The court also gave orders for demolition of all unauthorised constructions around Korang riverbed in the light of the report drafted by the Survey of Pakistan. The hearing of the case was adjourned until October 12.