LHC bars government from demolishing Punjab Governor House's walls

The plea was filed by judicial activism panel head Azhar Siddique.

LAHORE (Dunya News) – The Lahore High Court on Monday while issuing a restraining order barred the government from demolishing Punjab Governor House’s walls.

The plea was filed by judicial activism panel head Azhar Siddique.

Justice Mamoon-ur-Rasheed while hearing the petition restricted the government’s move to demolish the walls. "How can the decision be taken without the approval of cabinet?" he asked.

"Not even a brick should move from its place," ordered the judge. "Everyone will be behind bars if the walls are razed," he said.

During the proceedings, Advocate Ahsan Iqbal Warraich adopted stance that the prime minister had issued directives to demolish the walls. “The money of the taxpayers will be wasted from this act of prime minister,” he said.

The judge while concluding the hearing issued notices to the federal and Punjab governments, seeking their replies.

The petition had made the Punjab government, chief secretary, DC and mayor Lahore and others as respondents. It stated that it was illegal to demolish the wall of the governor house, adding that it violates the Antiquities Act of 1975.

Prime Minister Imran Khan had earlier ordered to demolish the walls of the premises while chairing a session of the Punjab cabinet. The move was to offer a clear view of the majestic colonial-era building to the public from The Mall.

A day after the directive, the Punjab government began to demolish the boundary wall of Punjab Governor House. 

As per officials, the wall from the left side of the Governor House’s main entrance on The Mall to the corner of the Alhamra Hall and a few yards on the Kashmir Road will be demolished and replaced with iron grills.