LAHORE, Nov 15: The Lahore High Court on Thursday directed the City District Government of Lahore to apprise of historic importance and significance of “Lakshmi Mansion”, stated to be demolished partially. Justice Ayesha A. Malik issued this order during hearing of a petition challenging demolition of the mansion situated between Beadon Road and Hall Road.

Advocate Arif Karim had filed the petition, and stated in fresh arguments that Lakshmi Mansion had a great significance in the history of subcontinent. He said the history of the mansion began before the creation of Pakistan. He said many famous personalities of the region, including fiction writer Saadat Hasan Manto, had been the residents of the Lakshmi Mansion.

Advocate Karim said the city government under a project named “Dilkash Lahore” had decided to preserve Lakshmi Mansion and many other buildings in the city having historic values. However, he said, the government demolished one portion of the mansion in the name of commercialisation and had a plan of complete demolition.

He alleged the government demolished the building to please Hall Road Traders Union President Babar Mahmood. Government’s lawyer insisted that the demolished building was not part of the Lakshmi Mansion but a privately-owned house. He said no body could stop the house owner if he wanted to bulldoze the building for reconstruction.

Justice Malik adjourned further hearing for two weeks and sought personal appearance of Babar Mahmood.