*ISLAMABAD - The Islamabad High Court has summoned Defence Secretary Zamir-ul-Hassan Shah and Inter-Services Intelligence chief, Lt. Gen. Naveed Mukhtar, on July 4 in a case pertaining to blockade of a road outside the agency’s headquarters in the federal capital.*
In the previous hearing on July 22, the court had directed ISI and Capital Development Authority to clear a two-kilometre portion of Khayaban-e-Suharwardy in front of ISI headquarters in a week.
Due to security concerns, a portion of the road was closed for public few years ago.
Hearing a petition against the encroachment on public land on Friday, Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui sought a report on the implementation of the court’s orders.
Joint Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Mohammad Younus Khan told the court that consultation is required about the issue. He appealed the court to grant more time.
At this, Justice Siddiqui said roads are constructed to facilitate the public, so the blockade is illegal. What type of consultation is required for an illegal act?
The court orders should be implemented at all cost, he said.
Younus Khan and Deputy Attorney General Arshad Kayani called it a ‘sensitive matter’, appealing the judge to conduct next hearing in his chamber.
However, Justice Siddiqui rejected the request.
The hearing will be held an open court, and if any sensitive matter comes up, the media representatives would be asked not to publish it, he said.
Meanwhile, the court issued notices to Lt. Gen. Naveed Mukhtar and Defence Secretary Zamir-ul-Hassan Shah to personally appear in the next hearing on July 4.