LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Monday expressed satisfaction over a report of the Parks Horticulture Authority (PHA) about the action taken against its officials responsible for cutting of trees on Canal Road.

Justice Shahid Karim was hearing multiple petitions filed against the government’s failure to take effective measures to control smog and other environmental issues.

PHA’s counsel Barrister Haris Azmat presented a report before the court stating that the officials, including a BS-19 officer, had been suspended for cutting grownup branches of trees on Canal Road. He said departmental proceedings had also been initiated against these officials.

The judge expressed satisfaction over the report and directed that the PHA director general be informed that no tree shall be cut in the city without his permission.

Justice Karim further directed the PHA to carry out an assessment before cutting any tree in order to determine the possibility of saving the tree or branches.

The PHA counsel stated that the tree branches were trimmed to avoid accidents on Canal Road.

The judge expressed surprise, observing that no accident had ever occurred due to tree branches in the past.

The counsel further stated that steps were being taken to have parks adopted by affluent individuals or companies. He said a meeting in this regard was scheduled for Jan 14.

The judge directed the PHA to submit a detailed report regarding restoration of Nasser Bagh.

He adjourned further hearing of the petitions till Jan 16.

NASSER BAGH: A Lahore High Court two-member bench reserved its decision on the point of referring the petitions challenging an underground parking plaza at Nasser Bagh and a floating restaurant on Canal Road near Jallo Park to a single bench.

The two-member bench headed by Justice Ahmed Arshad Nadeem heard two separate petitions.

The counsel for the petitioners, Azhar Siddiq, raised an objection to placing the petitions before a division bench instead of a single bench.

He pointed out that hearing the matter by a two-member bench would affect the right to file an intra court appeal. He said the petitions should be referred to a single bench for hearing.

The division bench reserved its verdict on the point whether to hear or refer the petitions to a single bench.

Renowned architect Dr Ajaz Anwar challenged the parking project while the Judicial Activism Panel assailed the proposed floating restaurant.

Published in Dawn, January 13th, 2026