LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Monday issued notices to the Punjab secretary (housing) and the Lahore Development Authority on a petition moved by residents of different colonies that had been declared illegal by LDA.

Advocate Ishtiaq Chaudhry appeared on behalf of the petitioners and told the court that the LDA declared over 100 private housing schemes illegal for being not registered with it. He said the LDA also stopped Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited from installing connections at the houses in these societies leading to violation of fundamental rights of the petitioners.

The counsel said the LDA should have taken action against the owners of the housing schemes instead of depriving the residents, who were bona fide purchasers, of their basic rights. He asked the court to set aside the impugned action of the LDA for being illegal and contrary to fundamental rights of the petitioners.

Justice Ali Akbar Qureshi sought replies from the housing secretary and the LDA by Sept 12.

In another case, Justice Qureshi summoned officials of the Traffic Engineering and Transport Planning Agency (Tepa) and the Lahore Parking Company to explain situation about illegal parking lots, encroachments and traffic hazards on The Mall.

Earlier, Chief Traffic Officer Malik Liaquat told the court that different departments including Tepa, LDA, social welfare and the parking company were collectively responsible for smooth traffic flow but these departments miserably failed to play their due role and were not cooperating with the traffic police. At this, the judge summoned officials of the relevant departments on Tuesday (today).

Hearing another matter, Justice Qureshi sought a compliance report within 15 days from the deputy commissioner on removal of encroachments from all graveyards in the city.

Published in Dawn, September 11th, 2018