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ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has ruled that the government may acquire private property without the owner’s consent for public purposes, observing that while the state possesses the power of compulsory acquisition, the authority is not absolute and must remain subject to constitutional safeguards.
In a detailed judgement authored by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, the apex court held that the state’s power to acquire land in the public interest must be exercised in accordance with Articles 23 and 24 of the Constitution, which guarantee the right to property and regulate compulsory acquisition.
The court emphasised that a fair balance must be maintained between the state’s authority and the fundamental rights of property owners. It observed that landowners should receive just and equitable compensation, remarking that “gold should be compensated with gold, not with copper.”
The judgement further stated that compensation for acquired land should not be determined solely on the basis of official government rates. Instead, authorities must take into account the prevailing market value of the property, its potential use, and future development prospects.
The court also directed that where there is a delay in the acquisition process, any increase in land prices and the impact of inflation during the intervening period must be factored into the compensation awarded to the landowner.
The ruling is expected to serve as an important precedent in cases involving compulsory land acquisition, reinforcing the constitutional requirement that property owners receive fair and reasonable compensation when land is acquired in the public interest.

ISLAMABAD: An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Monday sent the prime suspect in the murder case of martyred Group Captain Asim Tariq to jail for a 14-day identification parade, marking a key development in the investigation.

The case was heard by ATC Judge Abu Al-Hasnat Zulqarnain. The accused, Saad Abbasi, was produced before the court under stringent security arrangements. Prosecutor Raja Naveed and the investigating officer also appeared during the proceedings.

The investigating officer requested the court to allow the accused to be sent for an identification parade, stating that the process was necessary for the ongoing investigation. The prosecutor informed the court that two eyewitnesses had been identified in the case.

Accepting the request, the court directed the authorities to shift the suspect to jail for the identification parade and ordered the investigating team to submit a report upon completion of the exercise.

The court further directed the police to produce the accused again on July 20 for further proceedings.

Lahore: Footage has surfaced showing Raza Dar taking two foreign women to the airport in Lahore.

In the footage that has come to light, a vehicle can be seen speeding on Ghazi Road and colliding with another car. The car that collided with Raza Dar’s vehicle has also been identified in the footage.

According to Stephanie’s statement, when the accident occurred, they got out of the vehicle. The family in the other car also came out and called police on 15.

Stephanie said that when the police arrived at the scene, they felt safe.

Meanwhile, Raza Dar was in contact with someone referred to as “boss.” In Gabrielle’s statement, she said people were shouting at Raza Dar and telling him that the “boss” had given different instructions for the situation.

Gabrielle said they were crying and shouting, asking him to drive faster, but Raza Dar was driving slowly. During this time, the vehicle hit a citizen’s car, after which they jumped out.

Also Read: Police Arrest Five More Suspects, Including ‘Boss,’ in Foreign Women Kidnapping and Rape Case

The women entered a mechanic’s shop, where a traffic warden arrived and informed the police. Police then began taking them away, saying they were being taken to the airport. However, when they were being sent toward the airport, the women again became suspicious that they were not actually being taken there.

They were told that the vehicle had broken down and they would have to travel in another car, but the two women fled from there as well and started moving toward the airport according to their location.

Stephanie said a police mobile then arrived, and a female officer told them that the incident was already in their knowledge. When the police showed them proof, they felt satisfied. The police then took them to the police station, and their statements were recorded the next day.

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has fixed for hearing the petitions filed by Iman Mazari and Barrister Hadi Chattha seeking the suspension of their sentences.

The Supreme Court has scheduled both petitions for hearing in connection with the requests for the suspension of the sentences awarded to Iman Mazari and Hadi Chattha.

A three-member bench headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar will hear the petitions on June 6. Justice Musarrat Hilali and Justice Shahid Bilal are also members of the bench.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had directed that a decision on the petitions of Iman Mazari and Hadi Chattha be made within 15 days. However, after no decision was issued within that period, petitions were filed before the Supreme Court.

It is pertinent to mention that the petitions seeking the suspension of the sentences of Iman Mazari and Hadi Chattha are currently pending before the Islamabad High Court.

Also Read: Court Orders Arrest and Production of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Suhail Afridi