Islamabad (HRNW): Located in the heart of the capital, the “One Constitution Avenue” towers have once again emerged as a symbol of Pakistan’s dual justice system, administrative collusion, and the deep-rooted “nexus of the elite.”
The Ownership and Judicial Relief
The building is owned by Sheikh Abdul Hafeez Pasha, a prominent industrialist from Faisalabad and head of Bismillah Textiles. Originally a joint venture, the project eventually saw the exit of other partners, leaving Sheikh Pasha as the sole owner.
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The First Relief: A two-member bench, comprising Justice Ijazul Ahsan and former Chief Justice Saqib Nisar, regularized the controversial building in exchange for a payment of Rs 17 billion to the Capital Development Authority (CDA).
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Payment Failure: Sheikh Pasha managed to pay only Rs 2.25 billion before claiming financial inability. For the next eight years, the case bounced between the courts and the CDA without a final resolution.
Elite Under One Roof: A List of Influential Residents
The controversy surrounding the building is intensified by its residents. One Constitution Avenue houses the crème de la crème of Pakistan’s power structure, including top politicians, judges, bureaucrats, journalists, and former military brass. Notable apartment owners include:
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Politicians: Imran Khan, Hammad Azhar, Shandana Gulzar, Birjees Tahir, Kashmala Tariq, Jam Kamal Khan, and Nasir-ul-Mulk.
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Judiciary & Bureaucracy: Retd. Justice Ijazul Ahsan, Saqib Nisar, former Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir, and former Auditor General Javed Jehangir.
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Others: Former Naval Chief Asif Sandila, cricketer Shoaib Akhtar, former PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani, and prominent journalists/anchors Nasim Zehra and Absar Alam.
The “Committee Culture” and Selective Accountability
Following a recent court order intended to trigger enforcement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif intervened by halting police and CDA action, instead forming a new “Committee.” In Pakistan’s administrative culture, a “committee” is often viewed by the public as a tactic to bury an issue in long delays and procedural hurdles.
Critical Questions Demand Answers:
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Why the Double Standard? If Karachi’s Nasla Tower could be demolished within days on judicial orders, why has One Constitution Avenue enjoyed years of leniency?
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Where Were the Regulators? In 2005, the lease was granted solely for a hotel. How did a massive residential and commercial complex arise without CDA’s timely intervention?
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Accountability for the Builder: Has the owner, Sheikh Hafeez Pasha, ever been held truly accountable for these violations?
The growing public resentment highlights a stark reality: when a poor person’s dwelling is at stake, bulldozers arrive in hours. However, when the elite’s luxury apartments are under threat, committees are formed, and legal loopholes are carved out to ensure their protection.
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