1. ' This order shall dispose of,- -
(1) W.P. No,320 of 1971 titled Ghulam Muhammad etc. v. Administrator Thal Development Authority and another;
(2) W.P. No,413 of 1971 titled Muhammad Ibraheem etc. v. Administrator Thal Development Authority and another.
(3) W.P.No, 495 of 1971 titled Ghulam Muhammad v. Administrator Thal Development Authority and another;
(4) W.P. No,649 of 1971 titled Nawab Din v. Administrator Thal Development Authority and another; and
(5) Cr. O.No,72/W of 1983 titled Sher Muhammad v. Administrator Thal Development Authority and another, as the common questions of law and facts arise in all these matters.
7. Briefly stated the facts are that different lots of land were given to the petitioners in the year 1953 under Sheep and Poultry Breeding Scheme promulgated by the Thal Development Authority.
2. Physical possession of the land in question was given to the petitioners for a period of fifteen years on lease basis. Case of the petitioners is that they brought the land under plough by making huge investment of money and labour. The writ petitions were admitted by this Court and status quo was also maintained. Learned counsel contends that the petitioners are in physical possession of the land in question and that they have brought the land in question under plough by making huge investment of money and labour. It is argued that the petitioners are entitled to get proprietary rights of the land in question because they did not violate any terms and conditions of the leases.
3. These are very old matters. I find that the respondents did not contest the petitions by filing written statements in the cases. Even today, no one appears on behalf of the respondents. I am of the view that the respondents have lost interest, if any, in the land in dispute which is in possession of the petitioners. This being so, the respondents arc proceeded against ex parte. It is evident that the impugned orders were passed by the Colonization Officer, Bhakkar without hearing the petitioners.
4. The impugned orders are, therefore, coram non judice and a nullity in law. In the circumstances, the impugned orders are set aside by declaring them without lawful authority and of no legal consequence. The petitions succeed and are allowed leaving the parties to bear their own costs.