IHC orders CDA to de-seal PTI office in Islamabad

Islamabad High Court ordered the Capital Development Authority on Tuesday to immediately de-seal the office of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

Justice Saman Riffat announced the reserved decision early on Tuesday, accepting the PTI’s plea against the office being sealed.

CDA had sealed the office, located in Islamabad’s G-8 sector, a few days ago for ‘violating building rules’.

In addition to encroaching on adjoining plots, the office had also added an additional storey in violation of building laws, the CDA had said in a statement.

Armed with heavy machinery and escorted by a large contingent of police, the CDA team had descended on the PTI office just before midnight.

Asked about the operation, CDA had claimed that it was part of a campaign against encroachment in the capital and was being carried out without any discrimination.

The office being sealed had also been mentioned in the Supreme Court on Monday during a hearing about reserved seats not being allotted to Sunni Ittehad Council.

When told that many relevant documents were inside the now-sealed office, Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa had remarked that suitable orders could be issued if needed.

This story is being updated.