Islamabad High Court Stops CDA from Auctioning Sports Grounds

A big blow to Capital Development Authority (CDA) as the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday barred the auction and commercialization of cricket and football grounds in the federal capital. Justice Inam Amin Minhas of the IHC passed the order and granted a stay order against the auction and commercialization of sports grounds, holding that these areas are meant for public use.

The court’s decision came after a petition was filed by Advocate Adil Aziz Qazi and former Chairman of Metropolitan Corporation Sardar Mahtab Ahmed Khan. The petitioners contended that the Capital Development Authority (CDA) cannot auction off sports grounds, which are meant for public benefit.

The petitioners had further argued that the public sports grounds are meant for recreational use by the local citizens and could not be put on sale through high-value auctions. The counsel for the petitioners also argued that the CDA’s move to auction these grounds for as much as Rs5 million each was in violation of public interest and civic rights.

They asked the court to bar the CDA from auctioning grounds meant for public recreational activities. After hearing the initial arguments, the court barred CDA from auctioning the grounds, issued notices to the CDA and MCI, and directed them to submit their replies. The CDA had earlier published advertisements announcing the auction of sports grounds in Islamabad which sparked criticism from various civic and sports communities.

According to the source: Pakistan Observer.