Requests relevant government bodies to work with protesters and explain the benefits of the projects under consideration.
The Lahore High Court has raised strong objections over the shifting and alleged felling of trees in Nasir Bagh, ordering the authorities to appoint a high-ranking officer to investigate the matter and submit a comprehensive report.
Hearing petitions relating to smog control on Friday, the court was informed that no trees were cut by the Parks and Horticulture Authority and they were shifted only with the help of an NGO. The bench, however, noted inconsistencies in the report.
Justice Shahid Karim expressed his displeasure, noting that 123 trees were allegedly “transplanted without the PHA even realizing it”. He said he had received photographs showing trees being cut down. “This cannot continue.”
Justice Karim observed that if people protest against public projects, the relevant authorities should guide them and explain to them the perceived benefits of the said project instead of isolating them. “It’s a democracy, whatever state it’s in.”
He welcomed the ongoing crackdown on large vehicles contributing to pollution and asked the government’s legal team to inform the court of the need to make Sundays completely advertising-free. He also appreciated the extension of the winter holidays.
The government lawyer informed the court that the heavy transport sector has announced a strike in response to the crackdown. Judge Karim asked the authorities not to be intimidated and ordered them to suspend the licenses of violators if necessary.
The bench observed that the PHA rules do not contain any clause relating to movement of trees and such provisions should be included in the NOC.
Read: LHC issues plea notice against felling of trees by Nasir Bagh
The Judicial Commission members also informed the court that Lahore has around 1,400 housing societies, out of which only one owes the Water and Sanitiation Authority (WASA) Rs 300 million. They added that construction of the Ghalib market park had been halted, but chairs and other facilities remained, and a makeshift food court was also operating there.
Lawyer Azhar Siddique pointed out that a tree was cut down in front of Rahat Bakery. The court directed the relevant authorities to file a comprehensive response to Siddique’s various queries.
Calling for a thorough investigation, the bench sought a detailed report. “This case cannot be closed in this way. It has been left unresolved several times before,” the court said.
“I don’t understand why Nasir Bagh was chosen for this project,” the judge observed, adding that he could not interfere in parliamentary politics. The judge noted that the rules of the Lahore Development Authority also needed to be revised and stressed that policy-making was not a matter for the judicial authority.
The judges observed that the current government had a comparatively better understanding of environmental challenges than previous administrations and seemed more aware of the need to tackle these problems.
The court has asked for fresh reports from different departments in the next hearing.
