Govt given time in Bab-i-Pakistan case

LAHORE: A Lahore High Court division bench on Wednesday directed the provincial government and Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) to complete tendering process of Bab-i-Pakistan project within two months.

Earlier, PHA director general told the bench after completion of tendering process the monument of Bab-i-Pakistan would be completed in two years. The bench expressed disappointment that 28 years had already elapsed and the project had not been completed yet. The bench headed by Justice Aminuddin Khan was hearing a petition moved by Punjab opposition leader Mian Mahmoodur Rashid challenging inordinate delay in completion of the project. His counsel Advocate Sheraz Zaka submitted that the master plan had been changed and the whole essence of the project had been lost in violation of Antiquities Act. He said for the past eight months the government paid no attention to the project.

A law officer on behalf of finance department stated that a new tendering process would be initiated after which the abandoned construction of the project would commence once again. The bench directed the government to complete the tendering process within two months and submit a report by June 25.

bail extended: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday extended till April 30 interim bails granted earlier to the accused involved in mismanagement and corruption in Punjab Saaf Pani Company and directed them to approach the relevant forum for their grievances.

Justice Shehbaz Ali Rizvi was hearing the petition moved by General Manager Waseem and others challenging their role in the corruption case. Additional prosecutor general Abdul Samad Khan appeared before the court and submitted that Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) was investigating the matter which had now referred it to the NAB. The prosecutor said that the single bench had no jurisdiction to hear the bail petition of the accused, pleading that the accused be ordered to approach the relevant forum for their bails.