Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed on Friday reprimanded the defence secretary over military land being used for commercial purposes, asking if cinemas and wedding halls were constructed for defence purposes.
The chief justice further remarked that colonels and majors were acting like kings. “What the colonels and majors wish, happens,” he added.
The remarks were issued during the hearing of a case pertaining to the use of military land for commercial projects at the apex court’s Karachi registry. A three member bench headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmad and including Justice Qazi Mohammad Amin Ahmed and Justice Ijazul Ahsan heard the case.
Addressing Defence Secretary Lt Gen (r) Mian Mohammad Hilal Hussain, the chief justice said, “This land was given to you for strategic and defence, but you have started commercial activities on it.”
The top judge went on to ask if wedding halls, cinemas and housing societies were built for defence purposes, adding that all Askari housing projects were constructed on cantonment lands.
The defence secretary responded to the court and said that it had been decided that this would not happen again. He assured the court that the the commercial use of military land would be ended.
Justice Amin asked the defence secretary to explain as to how it would be ensured and when the process in this regard would begin. The judge sought a written answer.
