LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Thursday ordered the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) to seal Garden Town branch of Beaconhouse School for illegal construction in residential area.

Justice Shahid Mubeen passed the order on a petition filed by Akbar Chaudhry, a resident of Garden Block.

The petitioner stated that the Beaconhouse School administration illegally established its branch in residential area and now started further construction on the site. He said the establishment of the school caused a great deal of inconvenience to residents of the area.

He said the LDA rules did not allow commercial activities in residential areas but the respondent school audaciously violated the rules.

Counsel for the LDA maintained before the court that the school administration did not seek any permission from the authority for the establishment of its branch in Garden Town and for further extension. At this the judge directed the LDA to take action against the school in accordance with law and submit a report by Aug 24. Sources in LDA confirmed that the school building was sealed the same day.

INDIAN FILM:The Lahore High Court on Thursday gave last opportunity to the federal government to file its reply on a petition filed by Jamatud Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed seeking a ban on exhibition of an upcoming Indian movie “Phantom” in Pakistan.

A federal law officer appeared before the court and sought more time to file version of the government regarding the exhibition of the film.

Justice Shahid Bilal Hassan allowed the request and observed that the court would not give further time if the government failed to submit reply by Aug 20.

Mr Saeed stated in his petition that the film contained venom against Pakistan and JuD. He said apparently the film was about the 2008 Mumbai attacks and global terrorism. However, he said, a filthy propaganda had been done in the film against Pakistan under subject of the world terrorism. The movie would be released on Aug 28.

Published in Dawn, August 14th, 2015

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