ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad and the Secretary Housing and Works to get vacated the illegally occupied government residences in the Federal Capital within 15 days.

A two-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar heard the case regarding illegal occupation of government flats by police and others. During the course of proceedings, the chief justice observed that the Rangers would be asked if the occupied official residences were not got vacated within the stipulated time.

Additional Attorney General (AAG) Syed Nayyar Rizvi informed the bench that policemen were illegally occupying some 140 government flats in the Sector G-6 and an amount of Rs 350 million on account of their rent was overdue. Rizvi apprised the court that the amount of rent if received would be donated for the construction of Diamer-Bhasha and Mohmand dams.

The CJP asked had the government officers courage to illegally occupy official residences. “What is the fault of those who are waiting to get official residences?” Secretary Housing and Works Dr. Imran Zeb Khan also informed the court that the ministry was unable to get vacated the flats from the illegal occupation of police officers because of a shortage of manpower. The chief justice observed that the IGP was responsible for the implementation of court’s order in that regard.