LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday dismissed an application of Ravi Urban Development Authority (Ruda) to vacate a stay against the land acquisition process for Ravi Riverfront Urban Development Project.

Dismissing the application, Justice Shahid Karim observed that it seemed the entire project was for the benefit of few land developers and not for public purpose.

The judge directed a provincial law officer to ensure that neither any bulldozer nor any other machinery shall be utilised to impose coercive measures against the inhabitants as well as farmers residing in the precincts of Ravi urban area.

The law officer undertook that the orders of the court would be complied with regarding the stay order.

The judge also issued notices to the provincial government and land acquisition collector to file replies and adjourn the case for Sept 9.

The judge had stayed the process of land acquisition by the Ruda for the riverfront plan without holding an environmental impact assessment of the project.

Advocate Sheraz Zaka and others had challenged the mode and manner of the land acquisition proceedings undertaken by Ruda for the project. They claimed that the hearing for the objections to the land acquisition was to be held on March 2, 2021, however, due to a law and order situation created on that day, no hearing could be held.

However, despite these circumstances, they said, the land acquisition collector of the Ruda passed 18 awards on the same day amounting to multiple billion rupees. The petitioners also challenged the legality of forcible acquisitions of land for commercial purposes under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894.

SP apology case: Lahore High Court Chief Justice Muhammad Qasim Khan on Wednesday deferred a decision on unconditional apology by Saddar SP Hafeezur Rehman Bugti for giving a misstatement in a matter relating to police occupation on a citizen’s property.

The SP appeared before the court along with law officers of the Punjab government.

The law officers reiterated their request to the chief justice that any adverse order by the court would ruin the career of a young officer. They urged the court to show leniency in the matter.

The other day, the SP had refused to admit his fault.

However, the chief justice rejected the apology, saying repeated opportunities had been given to the SP but he failed to admit his mistake.

The CJ is likely to announce a decision on Thursday.

A citizen had filed a petition against the illegal occupation of Township police on his property. The petitioner told the court that the police officials visited his home and threatened him.

The SP claimed that an opinion from DIG legal had been sought before the police’s visit to the petitioner`s residence. However, the DIG told the court that the matter was not related to his office and he had no meeting with the SP.

Previously, Bugti twice tendered unconditional apologies before the court, however, the chief justice turned down the same.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2021