LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday issued a notice to the Lahore commissioner on a petition seeking contempt proceedings against him for not deciding an application to grant tehsil status to Manga Mandi city.

Justice Shujaat Ali Khan heard the petition filed by Sheikh Latif Shahid, a resident of Manga Mandi.

Advocate Ahmad Abdullah Dogar argued on behalf of the petitioner that the court had directed the commissioner on Jan 23 to decide his client’s application pending on the matter within a month.

However, he said, the commissioner failed to comply with the order despite the lapse of almost a year. He asked the court to initiate contempt proceedings against the commissioner and punish him under the law.

The judge issued a notice to the respondent for submission of a reply by Nov 22.

In his main petition, the petitioner stated that Manga Mandi, located 40km from Lahore, lacks essential government facilities. The city has a population of 450,000 and includes 15 union councils in its surrounding area.

The petitioner said Manga Mandi consists of seven villages and additional surrounding areas but its rural health centre lacks basic facilities. He said due to the absence of a university, students face difficulties, and there is neither a playground for children nor a sports complex.

The lack of basic amenities has led to the city’s decline, he added.

The petitioner requested that Manga Mandi be granted status of tehsil to provide residents with necessary government facilities.

Published in Dawn, November 7th, 2024