Govt should suspend laws like Constitution is suspended: SC

Orders sealing of IGP’s office for operating in residential area; AAG asked to tell IGP not to be in office at the time of sealing to avoid embarrassment

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to seal the office of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and observed that if the government couldn’t implement laws to the letter then it should suspend them like thecountry’s Constitution was suspended.

The court asked the additional attorney general to inform the IGP Islamabad to avoid sitting in his office at the time of the sealing of his office to avoid embarrassment. A two-member bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Azmat Saeed Sheikh, resumed hearing in the blockades and encroachments made in the name of security in residential areas.

Additional Attorney General Aamir Rehman sought more time for shifting the IGP’s office from a residential area. He told the court that 80 percent work on the construction of the IGP’s office had been carried out and a little time was required to observe the court orders in the instant matter.

Justice Azmat Saeed Sheikh however asked the law officer if he was suggesting the court abandon the law till the construction of the building. Justice Sheikh plainly said there was no provision in the law to grant time in the instant matter adding that the court had nothing to do with the real estate business but had to ensure the rule of law.

Justice Azmat Saeed Sheikh observed that it would be better if the Capital Development Authority (CDA) rules and regulations were suspended and other law enforcement agencies assigned the task to carry out the authority’ business.

He further asked if the laws of the land could not be applied to the police chief and the government.  Replying, Aamir Rehman said the CDA should provide an alternative place for the office of the IGP.

Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed observed that if Islamabad and the IGP were a part of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan then all the relevant laws and regulations will be applicable to the police chief and the federal capital as well.

Aamir Rehman however replied that they were looking for an alternative place for the office, pleading for more time. “There is no alternative to laws. Hence how can we afford this illegal step”, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed remarked.

“We are at the mercy of the apex court”, the Additional Attorney General submitted. “It’s not a mercy court but a court of law”, Sheikh Azmat remarked asking the additional attorney general to give a written statement that laws of the land cannot be applied to the federal capital and the police chief or say that Islamabad was not a part of Pakistan. Later, the court adjourned the hearing until March 3, directing the CDA to proceed with the sealing of office of IGP Islamabad.