LAHORE: The Lahore High Court has been asked to order provincial and local governments to name Shadman Chowk after freedom fighter Bhagat Singh who was hanged at the same square by the British rulers.

Bhagat Singh Memorial Foundation Chairman Imtiaz Rashid Qureshi made this request in a petition before the court on Wednesday.

The petitioner stated that Bhagat Singh was a freedom fighter of the subcontinent and gave his life along with his companions for the cause of freedom. He pointed out that Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had also paid tribute to Singh saying there had never been any brave person in the subcontinent like Bhagat Singh.

He pleaded that it would be in the interest of justice to name Shadman Chowk after Bhagat Singh and also install his statue at the square so as to inspire the people of Pakistan and the world.

Mr Qureshi stated that in the neighbouring India there were many roads and thoroughfares named after Muslim rulers like Akbar Road, Shah Jahan Road and Bahadar Shah Road. He said India also published tickets with the image of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, the founder of Aligarh University, and his statue was also installed there.

The petitioner contended that an application had been filed before the chief secretary and the deputy commissioner of Lahore to this effect but no action had been taken so far. He asked the court to order the respondents to allow his application and name the Shadman Chowk after Bhagat Singh and also install his statue at the square.

Justice Shahid Jamil Khan will hear the petition on Thursday (today).

Published in Dawn, February 22nd, 2018