MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): In a significant ruling, the High Court of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) restrained Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) from leasing, selling, or renting out its Muzaffarabad office.
This decision comes after a petition was filed by Haroon Abbasi Advocate, arguing that the state property cannot be disposed of for non-state use.
The petitioner sought the court to prohibit PIA from closing its District Sales Office in Muzaffarabad and from shifting the equipment of the PIA District Sales Office in Muzaffarabad to Islamabad.
The petition also requested the high court of Azad Kashmir to restrain the national flag carrier “completely and permanently from renting out or selling the said land and building.”
They argued that the office provides essential services to the people of AJ&K, including ticketing for domestic and international flights.
Announcing the verdict, Justice Syed Shahid Bihar emphasized that land acquired under public interest must be returned to the government once its purpose is fulfilled.
The court has directed PIA to utilize the property in Azad Kashmir for public interest.
“In this vista of the matter, before parting with the order, it is pertinent to mention here that the law recognizes a specific mode of acquiring state property which can only be taken from state subjects in accordance with the scheme and sprit of law for the public purpose, otherwise only citizens of the state (state subjects) are entitled to hold the property in the state,” the court order read.
Saqib Ahmed Abbasi Advocate represented the petitioners, while Syed Zulqarnain Raza Naqvi represented the respondents, which included PIA though various officials.
