Lahore High Court orders restoration of Nasir Bagh Park in smog case

LAHORE (Muhammad Ashfaq) - The Lahore High Court has ordered the restoration of Nasir Bagh Park in the ongoing smog mitigation case and sought a compliance report at the next hearing.

Justice Shahid Karim heard petitions filed by citizen Haroon Farooq and others. During the proceedings, the Judicial Member of the Water Commission presented a report regarding the cutting of trees along Canal Road, stating that no trees were felled; only branches were trimmed. He added that three large branches were extending toward an underpass.

Counsel for the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) argued that it was a routine procedure and that failure to trim the branches could have caused an accident. Justice Shahid Karim questioned what kind of accident could have occurred due to the tree and how many such incidents had taken place so far.

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The PHA lawyer informed the court that the project director had been suspended and action had been initiated against him under the PEEDA Act. Barrister Haris Azmat told the court that the newly appointed project director was present in the courtroom. He also stated that a show-cause notice had been issued after an attempt was made by TEPA to uproot an old tree near Data Darbar.

Justice Shahid Karim directed that Nasir Bagh Park be restored under the supervision of the PHA. The court further ordered that no tree branches should be cut without the knowledge and approval of the Director General PHA. The court sought a compliance report at the next hearing.