LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday issued a restraining order against felling of trees for construction of an electric bus depot in the city and referred the matter to the Punjab chief minister for a detailed inquiry.

Justice Shahid Karim was hearing several identical petitions related to smog and other environmental issues.

The judge observed that the chief minister should conduct a thorough inquiry and submit a satisfactory report, otherwise, the court would conduct its own investigation and take action against those found responsible.

The judge also directed the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) to submit a report on the age of the trees felled for the construction of the depot.

The judge ordered Advocate General of Punjab (AGP) Khalid Ishaq to ensure no unnecessary tree cutting is under taken and to take preventive measures.

At a previous hearing, a member of a court-made environmental commission had revealed that trees were cut down in Lahore to construct depots for electric buses.

On Tuesday, the AGP presented a report before the court, stating that over 1,700 housing societies in Punjab were illegal, with only 800 approved. He also informed the court about the establishment of a department to monitor urban expansion.

Justice Karim appreciated the initiative and noted that the Lahore 2050 Master Plan had already been invalidated, directing the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) to create a new plan.

The AGP further informed the court that urban planning projects were being developed for the cities across the province.

The judge adjourned further proceedings till Dec 6.

Separately, Justice Karim disposed of a petition by a citizen, Abdul Rehman, challenging the Lahore 2050 Master Plan.

The judge observed that there was no need to keep the petition pending since the master plan had already been set aside by the court.

The judge had on June 14, 2023, set aside Lahore Division Master Plan-2050 and directed the LDA to make it afresh in the light of the points raised by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Urban Unit of the Punjab Planning and Development Department.

Published in Dawn, December 4th, 2024