ISLAMABAD:
Supreme Court Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail on Monday made pointed observations on state responsibility and human sensitivity while hearing two separate matters, stressing that children should not suffer amid protracted legal disputes.
A two-member bench, comprising Justice Mandokhail and Justice Irfan Saadat Khan, heard a petition filed by a private construction company regarding cancellation of construction of a guest house in Islamabad Diplomatic Enclave for the Prime Minister and Governor of Balochistan.
The company’s lawyer told the court that the previous caretaker chief minister had inaugurated the project before the notification was withdrawn, adding that an advance bank guarantee had been submitted for its mobilisation.
Justice Mandokhail noted that the arbitration proceedings were already pending before the trial court and stressed that “the government is not running away, the government is here”, while noting that the bank guarantee remained valid until June 30, 2026.
Justice Mandokhail observed that the acting officials could have acted hastily, possibly limiting their role to installing a plaque, and recalled that the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had earlier issued a stay order.
The Supreme Court dismissed the petition and ordered the lower court to decide the matter.
In a separate case involving a dispute between husband and wife, Justice Mandokhail ordered that a father be allowed to join his young daughter in court, stressing that “such cruelty should not be inflicted.” He noted that children suffer the most in marital disputes, and ordered the meeting to be held immediately inside the courtroom before adjourning the hearing.
