Supreme Court Rules Forest Land Cannot Be Allotted to Anyone

The Supreme Court has ruled that forest land cannot legally be allotted to any individual, while questioning alleged irregularities in the sale of 666 kanals of Forest Department land in Gujrat and ordering officials to produce the complete official record at the next hearing.

During proceedings on Thursday, the court summoned the assistant commissioners of Gujrat and Pasrur to appear after the court’s summer recess with all relevant records related to the disputed land. The case centers on an alleged auction of 666 kanals of forest land that reportedly took place in 1983.

Representing the government, counsel Sanaullah informed the bench that although the auction was said to have been conducted in 1983, no documents or official record of the process could be found in government archives.

Justice Irfan Saadat questioned why no action had been taken against those responsible if irregularities had occurred, stressing that forest land cannot be allotted to private individuals under the law.

Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail also criticized the government’s handling of the matter, questioning why the auction was allegedly conducted improperly and later canceled in the same manner. He remarked that Pakistan’s forests have suffered significant destruction and observed that authorities often fail to act when influential individuals are involved.

During the hearing, Justice Mandokhail also corrected a lawyer who referred to his previous role as a sessions judge as a “job,” stating that judges hold constitutional offices rather than government jobs.

The Supreme Court adjourned the case until after the court vacations and directed the assistant commissioners of Gujrat and Pasrur to appear before the bench with the complete official record for further proceedings.