LAHORE, Feb 20 (APP): The Lahore High Court (LHC), on Friday adjourned until February 27 the hearing of a case related to smog and environmental pollution, while maintaining its stay order on the Sheranwala Gate and Taxali Gate development projects.
Justice Shahid Karim heard the petitions filed by Haroon Farooq and other applicants against ineffective measures to control smog.
During the proceedings, Member Environmental Commission Syed Kamal Haider, counsel for WASA Mian Irfan Akram, and other concerned officials appeared before the court in compliance with its earlier directives.
When the court asked about representation from the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA), it was informed that no PHA official was present in court. The commission member also told the court that no representative of the authority had attended the commission meeting.
Expressing displeasure over the absence, Justice Shahid Karim remarked that the conduct of the PHA was evident and warned that if such a situation persisted, the projects would remain suspended. The court, consequently, upheld the stay order on both projects.
During the hearing, a written response was submitted on behalf of the Vice Chancellor of the University of the Punjab, claiming authority to order the cutting of trees.
The court observed that clear court orders already existed regarding tree protection and, therefore, issued a formal notice of contempt of court to the Vice Chancellor.
The court directed law officers and the environmental commission member to submit detailed reports and adjourned further proceedings until February 27.