The Lahore High Court has stopped the caretaker government of Pakistan Punjab from handing over at least 45,267 acres of land in three districts - Bhakkar, Khushab and Sahiwal - of the province to the Pakistan Army for 'Corporate Agriculture Farming', media reports said on Friday.
On Thursday, a two-page verdict was issued by Judge Abid Hussain Chattha over a petition filed by Ahmad Rafay Alam on March 28 on behalf of Public Interest Law Association of Pakistan, Dawn reported.
About two weeks ago, the Pakistan Punjab government had signed an agreement to hand over the land to the army, referring to a notification dated February 20, 2023 and a joint venture agreement of March 8, the report said.
According to the verdict, the LHC has barred the Punjab caretaker government from extending any "lease of state land" for the above-mentioned purpose as per the government's notification.
Noting that the points raised by the petitioner "need consideration", the high court issued notices to the respondents for May 9 and asked them to submit a response by then.
It also sent notices to the Attorney General of Pakistan and the Advocate General of Punjab province.
The petition filed by Alam had named Punjab Governor Muhammad Balighur Rehman, the Punjab Board of Revenue, the Punjab agriculture secretary, the Punjab forest, wildlife and fisheries secretary, the Punjab irrigation secretary and the Punjab livestock & dairy development secretary among the respondents.
It had asked the court to declare that the caretaker government "cannot take major policy decisions" and also declare the February 20 notification as "illegal, null and void", Dawn reported.
Citing a letter dated March 10 that was issued to the Punjab Board of Revenue, it had further asked that the "handing over of any and all properties/land by and between the respondents" be declared "illegal, null and void" as well.
73rd B.N. Mullik Memorial All India Police Football Championship begins, CM lauds Police's role
Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today lauded the role of Tripura Police in carrying out various social activities, apart from significantly improving the state's law and order situation.
Tripura to create, fill up 333 posts in various departments
The Tripura Government has announced plans to create and fill up 333 posts across multiple state departments. The decision was taken during a recent cabinet meeting and was revealed by Cabinet Spokesperson Sushanta Chowdhury at a press conference on Monday.
Explosions near Russian Consulate in France have signs of terrorist attack: Moscow
The Russian Foreign Ministry on Monday stated that explosions on the territory of the Russian Consulate General in France's Marseilles resemble a terrorist attack.
Air Force Base in Bangladesh attacked, several injured
In a major incident of lawlessness that is currently prevailing in Bangladesh under the interim government led by Chief Advisor Mohammad Yunus, several miscreants launched an ambush attack on an Air Force Base in Cox's Bazar on the southeast coast of the country.
Indian tech industry to hit $300 bn revenue in FY26, workforce to reach 5.8 mn in FY25
The Indian tech industry is projected to reach $300 billion revenue in FY26, a Nasscom report said on Monday, adding that in the current fiscal (estimated), the industry will add at least 126,000 net new employees, taking the total workforce to 5.8 million.
Telangana tunnel collapse: L&T teams with advanced equipment join rescue operation
Two teams of construction major Larsen & Toubro with advanced equipment on Monday joined the operation to rescue eight trapped workers from an under-construction tunnel, a portion of which collapsed on February 22 in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district.
Right time to invest in Madhya Pradesh: PM Modi at Global Investors Summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the Global Investors Summit here highlighting investment opportunities in Madhya Pradesh and urging investors to tap available potential in the state.
Govt backs India Inc. bid to become major exporter of power equipment
India is on the path to becoming a major exporter of power equipment, with global players showing strong interest in the country’s domestic manufacturing capabilities, Secretary, Ministry of Power, Pankaj Agarwal has said.