LHC stops PHA from using parks for commercial purposes

The Lahore High Court has stopped the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) from using parks for commercial purposes in smog remediation case, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Friday.

The court ordered that two parks in the city should be restored to their original condition like model parks.

PHA should approach the Environment Commission before conducting any commercial activities in any park, the court ordered.

Justice Shahid Karim heard a case related to smog remediation.

Member Environment Commission submitted a report on the implementation of court orders.

Member Environment Commission also submitted a report on industry and Punjab University buses.

Member Environment Commission submitted that Punjab University has obtained concerned certificates for 30 out of 35 buses. 

Justice Shahid Karim remarked that there should be a regular unit for the industry unit because the biggest cause of pollution is industry units and there should be a separate unit for them.

Lawyer Azhar Siddique submitted that a tree has been cut down in the name of road expansion near Data Darbar. 

Justice Shahid Karim directed Member of the Environmental Commission to see the matter of tree cutting.

Azhar Sadique submitted that I have made a plan to challenge the PHA institution because PHA is using parks for commercial purposes. 

PHA should take care of the parks, instead of using them for commercial purposes, the court ordered.

There are some court decisions on this, if there are, they should be presented before the court, Justice Shahid Karim remarked.

Deputy Attorney General Asad Ali Bajwa appeared in the court on behalf of the federal government while Deputy Director Environment Ali Ijaz and other officers also appeared in the court.

The court adjourned the further hearing of the case until January 23.