Karachi (HRNW) – The Supreme Court Karachi Registry heard an appeal filed by the Sindh government regarding a dispute over the valuation of private land acquired for the Tando Adam Bypass project.
A two-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Yahya Afridi conducted the hearing. During the proceedings, government counsel Faizan Memon informed the court that nine acres of private land were acquired for the bypass project during 1996-98, while compensation of Rs1.345 million was awarded for the land in 2004.
Chief Justice Yahya Afridi questioned what legal error had been committed by the High Court in its decision and remarked that the law also supports the interpretation adopted by the High Court.
The Chief Justice observed that the value of the land had already been determined at Rs300 per square foot and asked on what date the valuation was fixed. The government counsel replied that the valuation was determined according to the date of issuance of the notification.
Justice Yahya Afridi remarked that the law cannot be followed selectively by applying one part while ignoring another. He questioned that the land was acquired in 1997, but payment has still not been made, asking whether the government still wanted to pay according to the rates of 1997.
The government counsel argued that the acquired land was agricultural rather than part of an industrial area. However, the petitioner’s counsel Umar Lakhani informed the court that according to the Mukhtiarkar’s report, the land was located in a valuable area.
The Chief Justice observed that according to the record, the land was only a few hundred feet away from an industrial area and that the value of land adjacent to industrial zones also increases.
The court directed that details be provided regarding the documents and basis used for determining the land valuation. The Chief Justice also sought evidence regarding the value of properties demolished during construction and losses caused by excavation work.
The court stated that after reviewing the complete record, it would either issue an order on the Sindh government’s appeal or decide the date for the next hearing.
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Disclaimer: This report is based on court proceedings and arguments presented by the parties. The final outcome will be determined through the court’s order.
