ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court (SC) Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed on Monday said that the court should be satisfied on Orange Line Metro Train project.
The judge remarked, “We want we should be satisfied that the project would not cause any harm to historical buildings. We cannot say only by believing in the assumptions the project would not be harmful for historical heritage.”
A five-member larger bench presided over by Justice Ijaz Afzal and comprising of Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, Justice Maqbool Baqar, Justice Ijazul Ahsan and Justice Alam Mian Khail took up the Orange Metro Train project case for hearing on Monday.
Asma Jehangir requested that so many documents have been filed in the court from the side of Mass Transit Authority and a lot of time would be required for its overview.
To this, Justice Ijazul Ahsan remarked, “Your concern is our concern. You have contested this case in Lahore High Court too. Every aspect of the case is on your fingertips. Metro train case has been given priority over others after keeping them pending.”
Petitioner Abdullah Malik pleaded that his counsel Azhar Siddique was ill and if the court did not adjourn the hearing then he should be allowed to change his lawyer.
Justice Azmat Saeed said, “Don’t try to blackmail the court; whosoever wants to withdraw his case can do so. It is not a civil court where you will come with a contingent of lawyers, you should not threat us as this is not a civil court of Sheikhupura, but it is a Supreme Court.”
The petitioner said, “We also have given our blood for the independence of judiciary.”
Justice Azmat said, “You had given blood but had not opened a blood bank.” Asma said, “All right; I am ready to run this case, but if I could not give the answers to questions of the court then you should understand on your own.”
Khawaja Ahmad Hussain, counsel for petitioner IA Rehman, said that historic places would become invisible after completion of the project. “Invisibility is tantamount to affecting national heritage. The rules of protection of national heritage have not been taken into consideration while constructing the project.”
Justice Azmat remarked, “Your voice is very loud. You should talk with patience.”
The lawyer said it is very difficult to demonstrate patience in this case.
“You should concentrate more on content in your arguments than louder voice, nobody will stop you to speak louder during a fight,” Justice Ijaz Afzal remarked.
The court sought a report from two experts in this regard. If the experts declare the report of NESPAK as correct then the decision of high court cannot be maintained.
The hearing was adjourned until Tuesday (today). During last hearing, the court had said it can add conditions to monitor the ongoing construction work of the project.
“There is nothing to stop us, we can add conditions,” Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed had said.
Justice Maqbool Baqir questioned appellants about making the monitoring process statutory.
The larger bench was also shown video footage of the ongoing construction work.
