- Islamabad High Court orders the de-sealing of PTI’s central secretariat.
- PTI agrees to comply with building regulations and safety measures.
- The building was sealed last week for violating fire safety standards.
In a significant legal development, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has instructed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to immediately de-seal the central secretariat of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). This decision follows PTI’s commitment to adhere to building safety regulations within one week. The court’s ruling overturns the Municipal Corporation of Islamabad’s (MCI) recent action, which sealed the PTI office in Sector G-8/4 on July 23, citing violations of fire safety standards.
The MCI had taken this step after issuing a notice to the PTI Secretariat on July 22, arguing that the building did not meet the Islamabad Building Standards for Fire Prevention and Life Safety 2010. PTI contested the sealing, claiming it was executed without proper notice or legal basis.
The IHC found that the MCI failed to demonstrate an urgent need for the building’s inspection. Consequently, the court annulled the MCI’s order and directed the PTI to implement necessary fire safety measures, including the installation of fire extinguishers on every floor, a gas leakage detector, proper wiring, and a dedicated water tank for firefighting. Additionally, the building must be equipped with a fire pump and a manual fire alarm system.
Earlier this year, a portion of the PTI secretariat had been demolished by the federal administration in an anti-encroachment operation aimed at addressing illegal construction in the city. The court’s recent decision to de-seal the PTI office marks a new chapter in the ongoing regulatory and legal challenges faced by the party.
