Court criticises CDA for letting illegal housing societies defraud public.

ISLAMABAD -- The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday criticised the chairman of the Capital Development Authority and Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat for letting illegal housing societies to defraud the public.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah called a report filed by Mr Shafqaat, who is also the registrar of cooperative housing societies, unsatisfactory and told him to submit a comprehensive report at the next hearing on June 18.

The court asked Mr Shafqaat which laws allowed housing societies to use the nomenclature of government departments to sell plots.

The court was informed that in addition to several ministries and divisions, a private housing scheme named the Supreme Court Employees Housing Society is also involved in the real estate business.

Justice Minallah remarked that even IHC staff who launch housing schemes should be treated in accordance with the law. He added that employees of the Ministry of Interior and the Intelligence Bureau are also operating housing schemes.

He also asked Naval authorities whether their housing scheme was established under a lawful mandate. The counsel responded that there were hundreds of societies registered with the nomenclature of various government departments.

Justice Minllah said that the titled of government ministries or divisions could not be used by private individuals to operate housing societies, and if someone commits an illegality it should not be cited as precedent.

Raja Inam Ameen...