LAHORE: Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah has said the proposed Defence Housing Authority Islamabad Bill 2007 to be presented in the National Assembly violates the rights of the Punjab people.

Addressing a press conference at Model Town Saturday, he said Asif Zardari wants to accommodate his friend through this bill. Senior Advisor Zulfiqar Khosa was also present on the occasion.

Sanaullah said housing sector is a provincial matter which cannot be included in the legislation of federal list. He said under the Defence Housing Authority Bill 2007, the authority scope will extend to Rawalpindi which will be a violation of law and constitution.

He said under this bill, the authority will have power to get possession of any particular area without any compensation to the owner any appeal against this excess. He said that under this bill, land of the real allottee can be cancelled any time or the constructed structure would

be demolished and its cost would also be taken from the allottee.

He said a board of the authority has also been constituted in which no membership has been given to any civilian. He said Punjab chief minister through a letter has informed the prime minister, National Assembly Speaker and the MNAs about his reservations. He said the Punjab government will challenge it in the Supreme Court.