Govt residence: court seeks comments on allotment to Sanjrani’s brother

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) division bench on Monday sought comments from the Assistant Attorney General on an intra-court appeal of the Senate chairman’s brother Razziq Sanjrani, who has challenged a single court’s observations related to the allotment of a Category-1 government residence for him in Islamabad.

The IHC division bench consisting of Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiani and Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan heard the intra-court appeal of Razzaq Sanjrani against the observations of the IHC single bench in the case.

The division bench inquired whether the single bench exercised suo moto powers? The Assistant Attorney General told the court that the federal government has not taken any legal action against Razziq Sanjrani so far.

Lawyers Farooq H Naik and Raja Inam Amin Minhas represented the petitioner in the court.

When Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiani inquired when Razziq Sanjrani was appointment as an MD Saindak Metals Limited Balochistan? To this, petitioner counsel said Raja Amin Minhas said that his client was appointed in 2008.

Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiani observed if someone has been employed for 15 years, then what is the issue?

Farooq H Naik told the court that now the federal government, the Ministry of Petroleum and the Ministry of Housing have become a party in the instant case.

The court asked from the public prosecutor has any action been taken against the petitioner so far?

Farooq H Naik told the court that the Ministry of Housing had taken back the house before the decision of the single bench.

The division bench sought comments from the Assistant Attorney General on the observations of the single bench’s and adjourned the hearing till December 6.

Earlier, the Islamabad High Court single bench had issued a contempt notice to Razziq Sanjrani, the 33-year-old brother of Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani, for failing to appear in court in a case related to the allotment of a Category-1 government residence for him in Islamabad for 27 years.

Razzaq Sanjrani is facing the legal battle over his eligibility for a government residence, a privilege typically reserved for Grade-21 and Grade-22 officers.

IHC questions housing allotment to Senate chairman’s brother

The IHC single bench had twice issued notices to Razziq Sanjrani to respond to the case, but he did not reply.

IHC single bench judge Justice Babar Sattar had raised questions, in its order, asking why Razziq Sanjrani, had been allocated government residence typically reserved a Grade-22 officer.

The court had said that despite two notices, Razziq Sanjrani had not responded, forcing the court to issue a new contempt notice.

Justice Babar Sattar had noted that the allocation of Grade 22 residence to the Senate chairman’s brother raises concerns about favoritism and the misuse of power.

The single bench order had also sought to determine how Razziq Sanjrani qualified for a Grade-22 residence and has asked him to provide answers in response to the show-cause notice.

The court had stated in its order that Category-1 residences in Islamabad were designated for Grade-21 and Grade-22 officers. However, Razzaq Sanjrani had been allotted Category-1 residence as an MD Saindak Metals Limited Balochistan.

“Razzaq Sanjrani has been granted Category-1 residency from 2019 to 2046,” according to the single bench order.

The order had also highlighted the failure of the Ministry of Housing, Estate Office, and Assistant Attorney General to satisfy the court why Razziq Sanjrani, despite being a civilian, was eligible for a Category-1 residence.

According to the court order, the State Office officials had been unable to explain how Razziq Sanjrani qualifies as a Grade-22 officer.

Justice Babar Sattar had mentioned that this is why the court has issued a show-cause notice for contempt in light of Razziq Sanjrani’s eligibility for a Category-1 residence.

The court had observed that it cannot be assumed that the Senate chairman would use his influence to provide convenience to his brother, as it goes against the principles of fairness and impartiality.