‘Heritage department body to decide issue of building KBA consultation hall’

Karachi 

The issue of the construction of the Karachi Bar Association’s consultation hall inside the City Court’s premises was pending before the technical committee of the heritage department for consideration and approval, the KBA counsel told the Sindh High Court on Saturday.  Filing comments on a petition against the construction of the hall inside the courts’ premises, KBA general secretary Haq Nawaz Talpur submitted that decision was made in good faith and in the interest of the bar members.

He submitted that instant petition was filed with ill-will and malafide intent to achieve ulterior motives and prima facie the proceedings were being used to blackmail the association.

Therefore, he added, the petitioner was not entitled to any relief. He submitted that any order by the court may affect the decision of the technical committee and requested it to exercise judicial restraint and dismiss the stay application.  The counsel also submitted that the issue would also be taken up with the SHC chief justice on August 1 and assured the court that no construction would be carried out at the site until a decision was reached at the meetings.

The petitioner, Rehmat Karim Hunzai, had submitted that neither had the KBA any legal entitlement to construct any building or project in front of the KBA building’s lawn, nor the authority to change or alter the building. He also questioned the awarding of a tender worth Rs25 million for the construction of double-storied building between the KBA building and its outer wall and submitted it was illegal and without the lawful approval of the general body meeting of the association. The court after taking the comments of KBA on record adjourned the hearing till August 10.