FCCP issues notices in 12-kanal Orchard Scheme plot case, adjourns hearing indefinitely

ISLAMABAD, Jun 16 (APP): The Federal Constitutional Court on Tuesday issued notices to the parties in a case concerning to a 12-kanal plot in the Orchard Scheme and adjourned the hearing for an indefinite period.

A two-member bench headed by Justice Aamir Farooq heard the matter.

During the proceedings, CDA counsel Qasim Chauhan informed the court that the plot in question had been allotted in 2010, but the allotment was cancelled only three months later. He argued that not a single rupee had been paid for the 12-kanal plot, whose current market value is estimated at around Rs1 billion.

Justice Aamir Farooq observed that a review petition could only point out an error in a judgment and could not be used to reopen the entire case. “How can we reopen the whole case now? There are limits imposed by law; this is not a monarchy,” he remarked.

Counsel for the plot owner told the court that his client was an overseas Pakistani. In response, Justice Farooq noted that the property had been purchased after its allotment had already been cancelled.

The CDA counsel argued that all those involved in the allotment matter had already done what they intended. Justice Farooq responded by asking, “Did you behead anyone?”

He further observed that if corruption had been committed, action should be taken against those responsible.

However, the court was not responsible for rectifying administrative affairs or mistakes made by government authorities.

The CDA counsel informed the bench that there had been no court order directing action against the officials concerned. Justice Farooq remarked that not every action required a judicial order.

Following the hearing, the court issued notices to the parties and adjourned the case indefinitely.