ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court directed Balochistan government to provide land within one month for stone crushing plants. Court instructed Chief Secretary of province to appear in person to tell reasons if land was not allocated within said time.

Three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial heard case. Justice Ayesha A. Malik observed that court had ordered to notify wildlife parks in last hearing. Provincial government neither notified park land nor was allocating alternate land to stone crushing plants.

Justice Ayesha further remarked that plant owners had been waiting for years and government couldn’t address matter. Justice Athar Minallah remarked that why not Chief Secretary should be summoned if issue was not being resolved. If law officers were unable to take decision then Chief Secretary was responsible, he said.

Additional advocate general Balochistan prayed court to grant some time so that they could resolve matter after consultation with crushers. He prayed court to grant two month time instead of one month. Chief Justice remarked that court couldn’t grant much time as it would affect image of provincial government.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 13 2023

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.