Islamabad (Staff Report/Agencies): The Supreme Court on Tuesday remarked that the military lands not being used for defence purposes should be returned to the government.
A three-member bench headed by the chief justice and comprising Justice Qazi Mohammad Amin Ahmed and Justice Ijazul Ahsan resumed the hearing on the issue of military lands being used for commercial purposes.
Defence secretary Lt Gen (retd) Mian Hilal appeared before the court presented a report.
During the hearing, the CJP remarked that as per the law military land could not be used for puruposes other than defence.
“If these lands are not being used for defence purposes, then they will be returned to the government,” the CJP said, adding that the government was the owner of these lands.
The court said it would interpret the law concerning the land of cantonment boards in light of the Constitution, with Justice Amin remaking: “This is also very important for the institution's own reputation.”
The Defence secretary informed the court that a joint committee of all three armed forces had been formed to check violations of the law.
The court also declared Defence secretary’s report unsatisfactory and directed to present a comprehensive report on the issue within four weeks.
