Instructs relevant government agencies to work with protesters, explaining the benefits of projects under control
The Lahore High Court has raised strong objections to the relocation and alleged felling of trees in Nasir Bagh and has asked the authorities to appoint a senior official to investigate the matter and submit a comprehensive report.
After hearing petitions regarding smog control on Friday, the court was informed that no trees had been felled by the Parks and Horticulture Authority and they were only moved with the help of an NGO. However, the bench noted discrepancies in the report.
Justice Shahid Karim expressed displeasure, noting that 123 trees were reportedly “transplanted without the knowledge of the PHA itself”. He said he had received photographs depicting trees being felled. “This cannot continue.”
Justice Karim observed that if people protest against public projects, the relevant authorities should guide them and explain the perceived benefits of the said project instead of isolating them. “This is a democracy in whatever state it may be.”
He lauded the ongoing crackdown on large vehicles that contribute to pollution and asked the government’s legal team to update the court to make Sundays completely commercial free. He also appreciated the extension of the winter holidays.
The government’s lawyer informed the court that the heavy transport sector has announced a strike in response to the crackdown. Justice Karim instructed the authorities not to be intimidated and directed them to suspend the violators’ licenses if necessary.
The bench observed that the PHA rules do not contain any clauses for tree movement and such provisions must be included in the NOC.
Read: LHC issues notice of plea against Nasir Bagh tree felling
Members of the judicial commission also informed the court that Lahore has about 1,400 housing societies, with one society alone owing the Water and Sanitation Authority (WASA) Rs300 million. They added that construction at Ghalib Market Park had been halted, but chairs and other setups remained, with a makeshift food court also operating there.
Advocate Azhar Siddique pointed out that a tree had been cut in front of Rahat Bakery. The bench directed the relevant authorities to file a complete reply to Siddique’s miscellaneous application.
The bench called for a thorough investigation and sought a detailed report. “This case cannot be concluded in this way. It has been unresolved many times before,” the court said.
“I don’t understand why Nasir Bagh was chosen for this project,” the judge observed, adding that it could not interfere with parliamentary politics. The judge observed that the rules of the Lahore Development Authority also needed revision and emphasized that policy making was not within the purview of the legal authority.
The bench observed that the current government had a comparatively better understanding of environmental challenges than previous administrations and seemed more aware of the need to address such problems.
The court has requested new reports from various departments at the next hearing.
