The Supreme Court of Pakistan Thursday sought a presidential order regarding the constitution of the Frontier Works Organization (FWO) in a case related to land acquisition by the FWO>

A three-member bench headed by Justice Sardar Tariq Masood heard the case.

During the hearing, the petitioner’s lawyer said that the Supreme Court had sought the Presidential Order for the formation of Frontier Work Organization (FWO) at the last hearing.

“We have attached different letters regarding the working of the FWO. This is a 60-70 years old presidential decree. The FWO came into being on the orders of the then President Yahya Khan, FWO’s lawyer added.”

Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel remarked that whether General Yahya was conscious while giving the order.

Justice Sardar Tariq Masood said that usually fires erupted in various buildings in the country to make records disappear.

“There has been no fire in the Presidency till date and FWO cannot even say that there was a fire in the Presidency and they could not find the documents.”

Court asked FWO lawyers whether the presidential order matters or not and the court can decide the case without the presidential order.

“The existence and authority of the FWO are key points in the case to see if the FWO can acquire lands and set up a cement factory.”

The FWO lawyer said that more time should be given to produce the presidential order before the court. The court adjourned further hearing of the case indefinitely.

FWO has acquired 3,000 kanals of land in Haripur for setting up a cement factory and locals of the area have challenged the land acquisition process in the apex court.