LAHORE, July 23: The Lahore High Court directed the City District Government (CDG) on Wednesday to explain the allotment of state land around the walled city to shopkeepers.

Petitioner-lawyer M.D. Tahir submitted that state land around walled city had been encroached by traders. He had sought restoration of gardens and canal around the walled city by demolishing the structures built by encroachers. He submitted that the CDG leased out the land to encroachers in violation of law.

The court directed the CDG to produce notification under which lease was granted to the encroachers.

CDG legal adviser Khwaja Afzal submitted that the government granted permission to the local body to manage state assets situated around the walled city.

He submitted that a portion of the green belt around the walled city has been encroached upon by shopkeepers.

“The encroached green belt stands leased out to the occupants through defunct MCL, the City District Government, Nazul and Auqaf Department. It is the main source of income of these departments.

“At present, the portion between Akbari Gate and Bhati Gate is densely populated and removal would mean that more than 2,000 shopkeepers would lose their business, unless they are provided alternative places,” he submitted.

The Assistant Advocate-General informed the court said that expulsion of shopkeepers will create unemployment of about 2,000 people.

Advocate M.D.Tahir said that he had no sympathy with the encroachers and illegal occupants and they should be removed from there.

He said that former chief minister Mian Manzoor Wattoo removed encroachments from Chauburji area without any discrimination and facilitated the people.

The court adjourned the hearing of the petition for two weeks.—APP