We successfully defended the vires of SRO 45(I)/2015 dated 07.01.2015, issued under the Works of Defence Act 1903, before the Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi Bench. Several landowners had challenged the legality of the SRO, which was promulgated to ensure the security and safety of areas surrounding notified works of defence. The petitioners relied on various High Court judgments, including PLD 2008 Islamabad 37, PLD 2018 Lahore 295, and 2021 CLC 1378, to support their claims.
Partner Usman Jillani appeared on behalf of the respondents and robustly defended the SRO, relying on a Supreme Court judgment dated 05.03.2014 in Civil Petition Nos. 875 & 876 of 2008. It was argued that reasonable restrictions on land use, imposed in the larger public interest and for national security, are constitutionally and statutorily recognised.
Following detailed submissions, the petitioners sought referral to the competent authority for consideration and approval of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for construction strictly in accordance with SRO 45(I)/2015 and the provisions of the Works of Defence Act, 1903.
This outcome reaffirms the legal sustainability of regulatory measures for the protection of defence installations and underscores ABS & Co’s continued commitment to safeguarding statutory actions taken in the public interest.
