It instructs relevant government agencies to work with protesters and explain the benefits of the projects under scrutiny.
The Lahore High Court has raised strong objections to the relocation and alleged felling of trees in Nasir Bagh, and has ordered the authorities to appoint a senior official to investigate the matter and submit a comprehensive report.
Hearing petitions regarding smog control on Friday, the court was informed that the Parks and Hoticulture Authority had not cut down trees and they were only relocated with the help of an NGO. However, the court noted inconsistencies in the report.
Justice Shahid Karim expressed his displeasure, noting that 123 trees were reportedly “transplanted without the PHA realizing it.” He said he had received photographs showing felled trees. “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 such project instead of isolating them. “This is a democracy, whatever state you’re in.”
He praised the ongoing fight against large vehicles that contribute to pollution and asked the government’s legal team to update the court on how to make Sundays completely advertising-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. Judge Karim ordered the authorities not to be intimidated and ordered them to suspend the licenses of violators if necessary.
The court highlighted that the PHA rules do not contain provisions for relocation of trees and such provisions must be included in the NOC.
Read: LHC issues notice on its statement against felling of Nasir Bagh trees
The Judicial Commission members also informed the court that Lahore has around 1,400 housing societies, and a single society owes the Water and Sanitation Authority (WASA) Rs 300 million. They added that construction at Ghalib Market Park had stopped, but chairs and other facilities remained, and a makeshift food court was also operating there.
Lawyer Azhar Siddique pointed out that a tree had been cut down in front of Rahat Bakery. The court directed the relevant authorities to file a complete response to Siddique’s miscellaneous application.
Calling for a thorough investigation, the court sought a detailed report. “This matter cannot be closed like this. It has been left unresolved many times before,” the court stated.
“I do not understand why Nasir Bagh was chosen for this project,” the judge observed, adding that he could not intervene in parliamentary policy-making. The judge noted that the rules of the Lahore Development Authority also needed revision and emphasized that policy formulation was not within the judicial authority.
The court 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 issues.
The court has sought fresh reports from various departments in the upcoming hearing.
