Lahore(June 18, 2018): Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Ali took on Monday suo motu notice of construction of wedding halls within the vicinity of the University of Punjab.
The top judge has sought a reply over the construction work from Lahore Development Authority.
“On what basis have commercial engagements been allowed to carry out within the vicinity of the varsity,” Chief Justice Nisar questioned.
CJP Nisar also turned the petition of the citizen over the issue into suo motu notice.
On April 21, the transfer of University of Punjab land to the provincial government was suspended after Supreme Court’s Lahore Registry took action against it. 
A two-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar, also summoned more details pertaining to the issue from the Punjab government.
Earlier today, the Apex Court of Pakistan ordered to form a special committee to ensure the issuance of computerised national identity cards (CNIC) to the transgender persons.
Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar presided over the suo motu hearing of non-issuance of CNICS of the transgender persons at apex court’s Lahore Registry.
During the case proceedings, the CJP remarked that the CNICs should be issued through the one-window mechanism, adding that the SC will monitor the progress of process online. “I myself will monitor the entire process.”
He observed that special courts will be formed for the security of the transgender community. “The problems of the transgender communities cannot be solved until they are provided legal security,” the CJP noted. 
“We will not tolerate any kind of mistreatment or eve-teasing of the transgender community,” he stressed.
All those transgender persons who have CNICS should be allowed to vote. Khawaja Seras are an important part of our society, Chief Justice Nisar added. “We don’t know about government but will try to provide all legal provisions to the transgender persons,” he observed.
The Chief Justice of Pakistan had issued a notice to the Punjab Government, Chief Secretary and Akhuwat Foundation, for non-issuance of national identity cards of transgenders.
Earlier on June 16 Yesterday, Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar reached fountain house along with his wife, where he visited workers of various employment fields, patients and distributed gifts to them.
During the visit of the Fountain House, transgenders appealed him to take a notice and said that despite being a Pakistani citizen, they do not get basic rights, their identification cards are not being issued by NADRA.
In March, the Senate unanimously approved Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2017.
In the same month, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government issued driving licences to two transgender persons.
Moreover, the National Database and Registration Authority started providing transgendered community members with three gender categories on the registration forms for CNICs.
But the community remains grappling for survival.
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