IHC halts accommodation allotment for senior officers pending investigation

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has suspended the allocation of accommodations to government officers of grade 21 and 22.

The move comes amidst allegations of impropriety in the allocation process, where merit-based considerations were reportedly sidelined.

Justice Babar Sattar issued a comprehensive 11-page written order while overseeing a case that pertained to the allocation of accommodations without due regard for the established merit list.

The court’s intervention was prompted by concerns over the fairness and transparency of the allotment process.

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In light of these concerns, the federal government has been directed to halt any ongoing allotment proceedings until the next scheduled hearing.

Moreover, the secretaries of the Ministry of Housing and the Ministry of Law have been summoned to appear before the IHC on September 1.

The court seeks a detailed report from the federal government that outlines the specific regulations under which the contested allotments were executed.

Allegations have surfaced suggesting that the allotments were influenced by favoritism, with officers occupying pivotal positions allegedly benefiting at the expense of the established merit list. Justice Sattar, in the written order, expressed dissatisfaction with the information presented so far, deeming it insufficient to address the court’s inquiries.

The court found this initial information to be potentially misleading and lacking in comprehensiveness.

The court was informed that the new Secretary Housing, due to unfortunate health circumstances, was unable to attend the recent hearing.

Justice Sattar explicitly stated that the Secretary Housing will be required to attend the next hearing in person and provide substantive answers to the court’s inquiries.

In an effort to ensure clarity and accuracy in the proceedings, the court has mandated that the Secretary Housing refile a report and affidavit containing complete and precise information.