Islamabad: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Gulzar Ahmed on Monday directed the local administration to take over all petrol pumps set up illegally on green belts in Faisalabad, a news source reported. The CJP was heading a three-member bench of the Supreme Court hearing a petition filed by two petrol pumps looking to have their lease of state land extended.
The court was informed that the National Highway Authority (NHA) had leased out the state land for petrol pumps. One of the petrol pumps is situated on the green belts while the other is located on a park land. The court was also informed that the government has taken possession of the land.
The court also asked as to how the NHA could have leased the land since it does not own the land and that leasing out land for petrol pump at minimal rates could not be allowed. The bench directed that the petrol pumps should be removed from green belts.
