Mall on defence land: How Pak military misused land for commercial purposes

Pakistan's Supreme Court has come down heavily on the country's military establishment, pointing out that land meant for defence purposes was being misused for commercial activities.

The three-judge bench belonging to the country's top court was hearing a case relating to the illegal use of cantonment board lands in Karachi.

The case relates to the construction of Falcon Mall in Karachi in 2016. The land is under the jurisdiction of the Pakistan Air Force(PAF). The mall hasn't been opened to the public.

Reports claim the Pakistan Air Force has purportedly changed the structure that was built originally for the mall into a war college institute, as per images on social media.

The chief justice had ordered the country's defence secretary to appear in court to answer questions related to the case.

Retired Lt Gen Mian Hilal Hussain was questioned by the country's Supreme Court.Hussain, who is the secretary of defence currently, assured the court that cantonment land will not be used for commercial purposes.

The chief justice noted that cantonment lands across the country were being misused including three bases which were reportedly meant for the Pakistan Air Force were being used for commercial activities.Also, wedding halls and hotels were reportedly being constructed at what's supposed to be a naval base.

The court noted that the Canteen Stores Department (CSD) was being converted an "open commercial department store". The court hit out against Hussain for the alleged misuse and asked the government to file a report on cantonment lands which were being illegally used for commercial purposes.

The country's Attorney General Khalid Jawed Khan informed the court that a committee has been set up comprising of three service chiefs to look into the land violations.The court called the use of land as a "matter of embarrassment".

The country's apex court reportedly pointed out that army officials had purchased lands and sold it which were then being used by individuals to build houses with no sign of a "garrison" located on lands meant for the defence forces.

(With inputs from Agencies)