LAHORE, Jan 30: The Lahore High Court (LHC) ordered the immediate suspension of the ongoing underground parking projects at Taxali Gate and Sheranwala Gate during a session addressing petitions aimed at curbing smog in Lahore.
Justice Shahid Karim presided over the petitions filed by citizen Haroon Farooq and others. During the hearing, members of the Environmental Commission, Syed Kamal Haider and Mian Irfan Akram, alerted the court to tree cutting at Punjab University, which violated prior court orders, constituting contempt of court. The court, taking the matter seriously, issued contempt notices to the Vice Chancellor and Registrar of Punjab University.
The court remarked that the Director General (DG) of the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) should have noticed the tree cutting at Punjab University independently, but the PHA’s role was not evident. It instructed the DG PHA to organize meetings with the Vice Chancellors of all universities.
Commission members further reported ongoing construction of underground parking near Taxali Gate and Sheranwala Gate, lacking proper tree transplantation arrangements. Justice Shahid Karim ordered an immediate halt to these projects and summoned the Director General of the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) and the Advocate General of Punjab for the subsequent hearing.
The petitioner’s counsel also brought to light the unchecked tree cutting around Data Darbar, which harmed the environment. Additionally, he cited a tragic incident where a mother and her young daughter died after falling into a manhole.
The court expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, categorizing it as highly unfortunate, and acknowledged that negligence and insufficient oversight contributed to the loss of lives.
The court also ordered the tree cutting issue at Punjab University be forwarded to the Anti-Corruption Department. It demanded the appearance of the DG PHA in person and adjourned the hearing to February 2.
