PHC halts work on development projects until general elections

Humayun Khan

PESHAWAR: A divisional bench of Peshawar High Court (PHC) comprised of Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice SM Attique Shah has stopped developmental works till general elections and ordered respondents for submission of reply in this regard, on Thursday.

The counsel Mian Zakir Hussain advocate argued that caretaker government has no jurisdiction to carry out developmental projects while works are continued after announcement of general election by Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

Justice Ijaz Anwar remarked that caretaker government has jurisdiction over day-to-day matter as well as ensure free and fair election. He added that general election is scheduled on 8th February 2024 and inquired that how can developmental works are continued after announcement of polls.

Justice Ijaz Anwar inquired that is election to be held from ECP’s lawyer while Mohsin Kamran advocate assured that polls must be held on scheduled date. Additional Advocate General informed that these developmental projects are initiated at Bannu, Waziristan and other areas before caretaker setup. Justice Ijaz Anwar observed that blue-eyed people take credit in times of elections.

In the meantime, Additional Advocate General argued that the developmental projects were started earlier and added that it will benefit public at large. However, Justice Ijaz Anwar remarked that 8th February is at the head then restart the development works. Justice SM Attique Shah inquired that why both federal and provincial caretaker governments are taking so much interest in development projects while AAG argued the projects were started before caretaker government. He added that everyone is aware about ground realities.

PHC has stopped developmental projects till general election scheduled on 8th February 2024 while ordered respondents for submission of reply in this regard. Meanwhile, PHC ordered submission of reply in writ plea of former KP Minister Shaukat Yousafzai for offloading from airplane while going to Saudi Arabia for performing Umrah at Bacha Khan International Airport Peshawar and adjourned further hearing till 5th December.

The counsel Syed Sikandar Hayat Shah appeared before PHC’s divisional bench comprised of Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice SM Attique while argued that former minister was stop from aboard without any case or named in Exit Control List.