BHC Bars Unauthorized Excavation of Newly Built Roads in Quetta

Independent Report QUETTA , Sept 7: The Balochistan High Court has prohibited unauthorized excavation of newly constructed roads, footpaths and other urban infrastructure in Quetta, directing government, semi-government and private entities to obtain prior permission and a No Objection Certificate (NOC) before carrying out utility or other works. The court warned that violations of its directions could lead to criminal proceedings, while failure to comply with judicial orders could also result in contempt proceedings. A two-member bench comprising Chief Justice Balochistan High Court Justice Muhammad Kamran Khan Mulakhail and Justice Muhammad Najmuddin Mengal issued the directives while hearing a constitutional petition concerning development projects in Quetta, particularly the Sariab Service Road and storm-water drainage system. Additional Advocate General Balochistan Zahoor Ahmed Baloch, Additional Attorney General Muhammad Fareed Dogar, Project Director of the Chief Minister's Package for Quetta Development Muhammad Rafiq and other concerned officials appeared before the bench. The Project Director submitted a progress report on the Sariab Service Road and drainage scheme, informing the court that the asphaltic base course had been completed over 14,500 meters of the 15,140-metre road. Work remained pending at certain points because of existing obstructions. The report further stated that the asphaltic wearing course had been laid on around 6,500 meters, while the bridge had been completed and approximately 85 per cent of the storm-water drainage work had been finished. Installation of curbstones and pavers had reached about 30 per cent. The bench was informed that unidentified individuals linked with certain cable and communication companies had excavated sections of the newly developed Sariab Service Road without obtaining authorization from the relevant authorities. The excavation allegedly caused damage to the road and other public infrastructure and disrupted ongoing development activities. A letter written by the Project Director to the SP Sariab on August 20 concerning the unauthorized excavation was presented before the court, along with correspondence dated February 13 regarding the relocation of utilities. The bench observed that newly constructed roads, footpaths and other public infrastructure could not be repeatedly damaged through unnecessary or unauthorized excavation. It directed that the Project Director must be informed and formal approval obtained before undertaking any excavation or utility-related work. Where an existing utility corridor was available, the concerned entities were directed to use it. Any unavoidable excavation should be carried out only at a location designated by the Project Director to safeguard newly constructed roads, footpaths and pavers. The court also instructed the Deputy Commissioner Quetta to take immediate action in accordance with law whenever the Project Director reported unauthorized excavation or any breach of the court's directions. The bench further ordered the office of the Additional Advocate General to notify all government, semi-government and private companies that securing an NOC from the Project Director would be compulsory before undertaking works in areas where development projects had already been completed. The court made it clear that violations could expose responsible individuals to criminal proceedings, while non-compliance with its orders could attract contempt proceedings where applicable. During the proceedings, Advocate Attaullah Langove submitted CMA No. 3504/2026. A copy of the application was provided to the Additional Advocate General, who was granted time to examine the matter. The bench directed that copies of its order be transmitted to the relevant authorities through the offices of the Additional Attorney General Balochistan and Advocate General Balochistan for information and necessary compliance.