Chief Justice Says Gujjar Nullah Affectees Should Stay At CM House If Govt Can't Rehabilitate Them

Chief Justice Says Gujjar Nullah Affectees Should Stay At CM House If Govt Can't Rehabilitate Them
The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) reprimanded the Sindh government when the latter told the apex court that it did not have enough funds to work for the rehabilitation of people rendered homeless due to Gujjar Nullah evictions.

Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmad was enraged by the provincial advocate general's statement that the government is unable to rehabilitate the affectees. The SC was hearing a petition filed by Gujjar Nullah affectees who had sought the constitution of a larger bench to hear the anti-encroachment case.

Representing the Sindh government, Advocate General Sindh Salman Talibuddin informed the court that the provincial government was facing a financial crisis due to the federal government's non-payment of funds. He told the court that the federal government still owes Rs20bn to the Sindh government.

Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmad, irked by the advocate general's response, said that the affectees should then be allowed to stay at the Chief Minister House. The advocate general responded that if the court issues such an order, the government will make room for them at the CM House.

When the advocate general reiterated that the provincial government did not have enough funds, the chief justice angrily told him that it was not the court's job to assist the provincial government.