LAHORE: Lahore High Court Chief Justice Aalia Neelum on Wednesday allowed a sugar mills to file a petition before its Multan bench against a ban on the cultivation of tall crops in the districts of Rahim Yar Khan and Rajanpur, given security concerns in Katcha areas.

Chief Justice Neelum heard the petition filed by JDW Sugar Mills, owned by senior politician Jahangir Khan Tareen, which challenged the notifications, banning the cultivation of tall crops, issued by the deputy commissioners (DCs) of RY Khan and Rajanpur.

Advocate Shahzad Elahi, a former attorney general, appeared on behalf of the petitioner and requested the chief justice that the matter should be heard at the principal seat.

Assistant Advocate General Waqas Umar appeared on behalf of the Punjab government.

The petitioner’s counsel contended that the DCs of Rajanpur and RY Khan imposed a ban on the cultivation of tall crops in their respective jurisdictions.

He pointed out that given the situation, the petitioner would be required to approach the LHC at two separate benches — Multan and Bahawalpur.

However, the chief justice allowed the petitioner to approach the Multan bench against both notifications and disposed of the petition.

Published in Dawn, April 16th, 2026