IHC issues contempt notice to CDA Member Estate

The Islamabad High Court has issued a contempt of court show-cause notice to the Capital Development Authority's Member Estate for allegedly making a false statement about his absence from court in a case concerning allotment of land to affectees. Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar issued the notice on Wednesday, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan and Daily Times.

The reports did not disclose the name of the CDA official or the exact statement that the court found questionable. The case concerns the allotment of land to affectees: people whose land has been acquired for public purposes and who are entitled to substitute plots from the civic agency. The official's absence was explained to the court in terms the court is now treating as false, according to the two outlets.

APP reported that the show-cause notice was issued because the Member Estate allegedly gave a false reason for not appearing in the land allotment case. Daily Times carried the same account, with its standfirst noting that Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Sarfraz Dogar issued the notice while hearing the matter.

A show-cause notice in contempt proceedings requires the recipient to respond and explain why contempt action should not be taken. The reports did not state when the CDA official must respond or when the case will next be heard. The CDA has not publicly commented on the notice, according to the available reports.

The Capital Development Authority is the federal agency responsible for land management, planning and municipal services in Islamabad. Its Estate Wing handles plot allocation, including alternate plots for affectees of development schemes.