LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday sought a report from the Punjab government about steps taken for the restoration of Governor House’s wall to its original condition.

Justice Mamoon Rasheed Sheikh was hearing a miscellaneous application filed in the main case against the razing down of the wall of the historical building.

The petitioner stated that the building of the Governor House was a cultural heritage, hence its wall couldn’t be demolished. He asked court to immediately order restoration of the demolished wall.

On Dec 1, 2018, Prime Minister Imran Khan had directed the authorities to bulldoze the boundary walls of all governor houses in Pakistan in pursuance of the PTI government’s promise to allow public access to state buildings.

However, court had on Dec 3 issued a stay order on a petition by a lawyer seeking stoppage of the demolition of the walls of the Governor House, Punjab with immediate effect.

The petitioner earlier had stated in his main petition that the walls of the building couldn’t be razed as the structure was historical in nature, and it was illegal to demolish the heritage building. The court fixed the main case for April 25.

Published in Dawn, March 30th, 2019