In a move that would provide solace to the former ruling party, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday ordered the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to put up the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Central Secretariat.
In a six-page written ruling, Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz of the IHC declared, "CDA may take action strictly in accordance with the law in case of any non-conformity or violation of the applicable laws."
The court's order said that in 2022 and 2023, CDA had sent notice and a show-cause notice to the prior owner; however, it did not explain why the letters had been sent.
No record of receiving such a warning or a show-cause notice exists, the court stated in its decision. Furthermore, the CDA did not issue a prior notice to the PTI before sealing its office.
The judgment further said that the sealing order was neither addressed to or copied to the petitioner, nor was there any evidence of service.
The development comes after the Imran Khan-founded party petitioned the IHC on May 24 to de-seal its central secretariat in the federal capital.
The CDA razed a section of the PTI Central Secretariat due to a "violation of building rules," prompting significant backlash from the party.
The CDA said that its anti-encroachment team has initiated an operation to combat illicit development and encroachment.
In response, PTI Secretary General Omar Ayub Khan filed a petition naming the Secretary of Interior, Chief Commissioner, CDA Chairman, and Inspector General of Islamabad as parties in the case.
The PTI leader stated in his petition: "Neither any order nor any notice was ever served upon the petitioner; hence, the impugned act of the respondents is due to malafide intention, blackmailing, without due process of law, a violation of the principle of natural justice, and also contrary to Articles 4 and 10-A of the Constitution."