CHAKWAL: The district administration in Chakwal flouted a Lahore High Court order by cutting down two dozen trees on the premises of the historic Civil Club and starting construction for a proposed food court.

The move has raised eyebrows, as the LHC had directed the administration in April last to maintain the status quo during the hearing of a petition filed by the club president against the facility’s sealing.

The district administration had sealed the club on April 22, throwing its furniture and other articles out of rooms, as it wanted to convert the premises into a food court and parking space.

While the matter is still sub judice, the Chakwal administration floated a tender on Sept 30, inviting bids to install a container (cabin cafes) for Rs16.4 million, and began construction after cutting down trees.

Contempt application filed against MC Chakwal, officials summoned on Oct 20

President of the Civil Club Asad Masood filed a contempt application through his counsel, Advocate Hassan Raza Pasha. The petitioner stated that the writ regarding the disputed property was pending adjudication before the LHC Rawalpindi Bench, wherein the court had passed a status quo order on April 28, 2026, which was extended on each date of hearing till July 8, 2026.

He added that, despite the court order, a tender notice was published on Sept 30 for installation of a container (cafe cabin) for a canteen at a food court in the name of MC Chakwal, without mentioning that the property belongs to Civil Club Chakwal.

He alleged that, on Oct 12, the respondents started digging inside the under-construction gym premises of the club, and on Oct 13, uprooted a large number of trees in violation of the order.

The petitioner stated that the respondents were now dumping construction material through tractor-trolleys.

The applicant also referred to comments filed by the secretary, local government, in the main writ petition, wherein it was stated that the property in dispute was not owned by the local government but by the provincial government; therefore, the Municipal Committee had no right to raise any construction.

The court has summoned the additional deputy commissioner (general) and the chief officer, Municipal Committee, on Oct 20.

Advocate Hassan Raza Pasha termed cutting of trees a grave act of environmental destruction. “The felling of 25 mature trees is a highly condemnable act by the district administration”.

When contacted, Additional Deputy Commissioner General Bilal Bin Hafeez told Dawn that only four trees were to be cut down. “We have started an inquiry into the cutting of the trees and strict action will be taken against those who committed this blunder.”

Replying to a question regarding the stay order, he said the food court and service centre would be built on the land of the local government, not on the land of the club.

Published in Dawn, October 20th, 2026