ISLAMABAD – The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday stopped Capital Development Authority (CDA) from evicting street vendors operating at Daman-e-Koh, a popular tourist spot in the Margalla Hills.
Justice Inam Amin Minhas of the IHC passed the order on a petition challenging removal of street vendors from the area.
Barrister Umar Ijaz Gilani was representing the affected vendors before the court.
The ruling comes as a relief to many small-scale vendors who rely on Daman-e-Koh’s foot traffic for their livelihood.
During the proceedings, the petitioner’s counsel argued that the CDA had removed street vendors following the closure of a private restaurant, although the court’s earlier ruling applied only to that restaurant and not to the vendors. The lawyer further referred to a previous judgment by former Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa that upholds the rights of street vendors.
After hearing the arguments, the court directed the CDA not to create any obstruction for licensed vendors operating in the area.
In its remarks, the court emphasized that vendors with valid licenses should not face harassment or removal. The case has been adjourned until June 30 for further proceedings.
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