LHC halts auction of long-leased shops in Jaranwala
Justice Malik Javaid Iqbal Wains issued a stay order, suspending the auction scheduled for July 25, 2025, and sought replies from the concerned government departments.
The petition was filed by 40 shopkeepers through Advocate Chaudhry Shoaib Saleem. The petitioners, many of whom have been operating businesses at the premises since before or shortly after the creation of Pakistan, argued that the auction violated their tenancy rights and existing agreements with the municipal authorities.
According to the petition, some of the shops were constructed in 2005 by the tenants themselves under a public-private partnership, while others were built by the local administration and allotted to tenants through oral and subsequently written agreements.
Ch Shoaib Saleem argued that they the petitioners entered into formal tenancy agreements with the municipal corporation in December 2023, in accordance with Punjab Local Government policies and a notification issued by the Secretary of Colonies on September 30, 2019. They added that all tenants were up to date with rent payments, which included a 10% annual increase as per the agreements.
Despite this, the Deputy Commissioner Faisalabad issued a public auction notice covering these shops, prompting the tenants to approach the court.
The petition contended that the auction notice contravened Section 94(7) of the Punjab Local Government Act, 2022, and infringed upon the petitioners' fundamental rights under Articles 4, 10-A, 14, and 18 of the Constitution.
The petitioners also pointed out that substantial security deposits, around Rs 500,000 per shop, made in 2005 were still held by the government.
The court stayed the auction proceedings and adjourned the case for further hearing. The petitioners have requested the court to declare the auction notice illegal and to restrain the government from taking any coercive action against them.
Respondents in the petition include the Punjab Chief Secretary, Secretary Local Government, Secretary Colonies Department, Deputy Commissioner Faisalabad, and Assistant Commissioner Jaranwala.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
PARTLY FACETIOUS: Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House
'Michael Wolff, author of the best-selling book titled Fire and Fury, made an interesting observation based on his unprecedented access to what happened in the Trump White House and his key staffers.' 'Oh what did he observe? That Trump's ideology…' 'Good heavens, no; not that cerebral. He noted that a lot of the staffers were women and all fit a similar mould: long hair worn down, skirts above the knee, high boots, and as per Wolff not always qualified for the roles they were secured. Why are you laughing?' 'Well,some amongst us wear shalwars well above the ankle but not above the knee.' 'Don't be facetious.' 'Sorry a more serious observation, women representatives wear make-up, the richer they are, the more expensive the make-up…' 'Shut up, I was being serious…' 'Alright I stand corrected. One more observation, relevant I promise.' 'OK go on!' 'Out of the 60 plus cabinet members today I reckon around 85 percent are not qualified for the jobs…' 'That's the percentage of indirect taxes in total collections whose incidence on the poor is greater than on the rich…' 'Now who is being facetious.' 'I stand corrected anyway in coalition governments selections are made to ensure the rule of the minority and…' 'I get it besides Wolff talked of staffers not elected members of parliament.' 'Ah so Nawaz Sharif had a preference for Fawad Hassan Fawad, his brother for Mr Langrial and…' 'And The Man Who Must Remain Nameless and Faceless made appallingly bad selections, bad from his own perspective — he appointed the Chief Election Commissioner, then he appointed…' 'Yeah, I see some similarities. Wolff also wrote that it wasn't just that these women looked similar, they also looked like Melania…' 'Well no one has seen The Third Wife of the Man Who Must Remain…' 'I give up.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
Commissioners, DCs directed to ensure ex-mill price of sugar
KARACHI: Chief Secretary Sindh, Asif Hyder Shah has issued strict instructions to all Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners to ensure that the ex-mill price of sugar remains capped at Rs 165 per kilogram. Chairing a meeting to review key issues related to sugar and wheat prices, distribution of Sanads to flood-affected families under the Sindh People's Housing for Flood Affectees (SPHF) program, and monsoon preparedness, he further directed that retail prices must not exceed an additional Rs. 8 above the ex-mill price, meaning the maximum retail price should be Rs. 173 per kilogram. He emphasized that any violation of this pricing structure must be dealt with strictly. If retailers are found charging beyond the fixed price, immediate action must be taken against them. Moreover, if any sugar mill is found selling sugar above the notified ex-mill rate, its data will be compiled and shared with the Prime Minister's Office for further action. The meeting also received a detailed briefing on the current ex-mill and retail prices of sugar across various districts of the province. The meeting was attended in person by the Secretary Agriculture, Secretary Food, Secretary Implementation & Coordination (I&C), and Secretary Land Utilization. All Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners across Sindh participated in the meeting via video link. Regarding wheat stock management, the Chief Secretary instructed all Commissioners to conduct a thorough survey of wheat godowns managed by the Sindh Food Department. The survey must focus on the quality and condition of stored wheat. The Commissioners have been directed to submit their inspection reports within three days. Distribution of Sanads to Flood Affectees The Chief Secretary also reviewed the status of Sanads (ownership documents) prepared for distribution among the flood-affected populations under the Sindh People's Housing for Flood Affectees (SPHF) initiative. He directed all Deputy Commissioners to submit updated records of prepared Sanads without delay. Additionally, the CEO of SPHF was instructed to reconcile Sanad data with the respective DCs to ensure transparency and accuracy in the distribution process. Monsoon Preparedness Highlighting the upcoming monsoon season, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah instructed all Deputy Commissioners to remain fully prepared for any eventualities. He assured that funds will be released to each district administration to support necessary preparations and emergency response mechanisms ahead of the monsoon rains. The Chief Secretary concluded the meeting by emphasizing coordinated efforts, timely action, and transparent governance at all administrative levels to ensure public welfare and effective service delivery across Sindh. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
CDA chief vows to uproot illegal housing societies
ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman and Chief Commissioner Islamabad, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, has reaffirmed the authority's firm resolve to curb illegal housing societies, land encroachments, and unauthorised developments in the federal capital. The announcement came during a high-level meeting at CDA Headquarters, where the progress of ongoing enforcement actions—undertaken on the directives of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi—was reviewed in detail. The CDA chairman was briefed that actions were actively underway against illegal housing societies operating without approved layout plans or No Objection Certificates (NOCs). Several unauthorised offices have been sealed, and the NOCs of numerous societies have been cancelled as per law. Citizens have been urged to consult CDA's online portal for an updated list of approved and unapproved societies before making any investments. Randhawa warned that no society is allowed to sell plots beyond the approved layout plan, and any violation will invite strict legal action. He also cautioned advertisers and construction material suppliers to avoid dealing with unauthorized societies. In a separate meeting held earlier in the day, Randhawa chaired a performance review session focused on CDA's development initiatives. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
