Pakistan SC cancels sale of land of minority communities

Pakistan's Supreme Court today nullified a land sale agreement between the army-run Defence Housing Authority and the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), which manages properties of minority communities.
The court directed the Federal Investigation Agency to investigate the matter and submit a report to the Registrar's Office. It also directed the government to appoint a Chairman for the ETPB.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry heard the case, state-run Radio Pakistan reported. Chaudhry had taken suo moto notice of the sale of ETPB land worth billions of rupees for a very low amount.
During the hearing, Chaudhry observed on more than one occasion that the ETPB finalised an illegal agreement by closing its eyes. He said that in accordance with the Constitution and law, the ETPB's land cannot be sold or exchanged with other land.

The ETPB is responsible for managing the shrines and lands of minority communities like Hindus and Sikhs.