Punjab govt told to reply on blinds’ plea for land rights

LAHORE: Lahore High Court Chief Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed on Wednesday sought a reply from the Punjab government on a petition by around 100 blind persons living in a house in Katchi Abadi near Masti Gate, seeking propriety rights of the land where they have been living since decades. The CJ adjourned the hearing until June 19 and directed the government to ensure submission of its reply by that date. The counsel for the petitioners submitted that almost all provincial governments in the past had been pledging to give them (petitioners) ownership rights of the house, but all promises proved to be just words. He said that the petitioners want ownership rights of the property measuring one kanal and 15 marlas, and the Revenue Department had once offered them to buy the property at the rate of Rs 500,000 per marla, however, later withdrew the offer. He said the petitioners were ready to pay for the land, but now the department – through a notification – had put a ban on the sale/purchase of the property.