Katas Raj case: CJP hints at removal of ETPB chairman over incompetence
CJP headed the 3-member bench that heard the case regarding drying up of a pond in Katas Raj Temple.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Mian Saqib Nisar has on Thursday remarked while hearing the Katas Raj Temple case that Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Chairman Siddiqul Farooq should be removed if he is not working.
CJP headed the three-member bench that heard the case regarding drying up of a pond in Katas Raj Temples, and summoned Siddiqul Farooq with a report of the expenses of the restoration of temples.
Justice Mian Saqib Nisar commented that it is Pakistan’s misfortune that corruption is its biggest problem and ETPB has also become a victim of this evil.
A report was submitted in the court by Punjab government through its counsel Asma Hamid who opted the stance that the water level dropped due to the underground consumption. The pond has been filled up to 20 feet, she told. The lawyer further added that Punjab Chief Minister (CM) has banned the approval of new factories.
Justice Saqib Nisar responded that the ban on new factories has been imposed by the SC, and inquired that why the government always takes decisions late. CJP continued that the court is not blaming anyone but it is sad that a cement factory’s limit was increased from 5,000 tons to 50,000 tons.
CJP asked about the responsible persons behind the irregularity and said should Punjab CM be summoned to answer this question? He also inquired whether to hold the provincial government accountable for this matter or the federal government.
The chief justice further added that all things look correct in documents but the ground realities are contrary to that. He said the factories are not being held answerable and it has created a big environmental problem. The culture and history cannot be compromised at any cost, affirmed CJP.
The head of the Pakistan Hindu Council, Dr Ramesh Kumar told the court that ousted premier Nawaz Sharif appointed Siddiqul Farooq as ETPB chief instead of Justice (retd) Rana Bhagwandas. Ramesh maintained that a non-Muslim should be the head of ETPB, and said there is neither any statue in the Katas Raj Temples nor any Hindu worker.
The apex court issued notice to cement factory owners in Chakwal to give their viewpoint over environmental problems, and directed Shehbaz Sharif to look into the matter himself. The hearing has been adjourned till the second week of December.
It is worth mentioning here that CJP had taken a suo moto notice of drying up of a pond in Katas Raj Temples owing to cement factories in Chakwal on November 2.
