Petitioner says he wants to expose how project threatens Lahore’s heritage sites.
PHOTO: NNI
The Punjab government had challenged the Lahore High Court’s judgment of August 19, wherein the provincial authorities were barred from carrying out construction work within 200-foot radius of 10 heritage sites.
The LHC had also set aside the no-objection certificates (NOCs) issued by the archaeology department director-general and the chief secretary’s committee under Antiquities Act of 1975 and Special Premises Ordinance, 1985.
A five-judge larger bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, will take up the appeals filed by consultant NESPAK (National Engineering Services Pakistan), Lahore Development Authority and Punjab government filed against the high court’s verdict on October 13.
However, PTI Lahore (Urban) President Walid Iqbal has approached the apex court and filed a petition under Order V, Rule 2(2) of Supreme Court Rules, 1980, to implead party in the case.
The petitioner contended the PTI being the second largest political party and as an opposition party wanted to ensure a properly effective system of checks and balances was in place.
He alleged the manner in which NoCs were given by officials against the policies demonstrated the decision taken by the Punjab government was based upon vested interest, mala fide intention and against public interest.
Heritage sites are protected under the Punjab Special Premises (Preservation) Ordinance, 1985 and Antiquity Act, 1975.
Waleed said the PTI wanted to expose how the project threatened national monuments and heritage sites that not only were a source of pride for the people of Lahore but also gave them an insight into the past glory of their structural, cultural, sculptural artistic and archaeological skills.
“These heritage sites are also a source of vision and wisdom of their ancestors and all associated matters are undoubtedly those that any responsible political party should be taking up, all the more so the one that commands second position by votes cast in the Lahore district,” the petition reads.
The applicant maintained the appeal being taken up was not just a matter of national importance governed by the Constitution and national laws, but was also of international significance in light of the UNESCO Convention.
The PTI office-bearer contended the party would reveal before the bench that how the state’s functionaries have acted against the policy of law merely to promote the whims of their political masters and to please them.
The applicant said his presence before the court was necessary as he would assist it in settling the questions involved in the appeal effectively and conclusively.
Unesco’s World Heritage Committee had earlier urged the Punjab government to immediately suspend any further work on the Orange Line along Shalamar Gardens and identify an alternative location for this section of the project on concerns about the possible environmental impacts on the historical gardens.
The 27-km Orange Line will be the first track of the Lahore Metro, which is the country’s first train rapid transit system. When completed, it will connect Raiwind, Multan Road, McLeod Road, Lahore Junction Railway Station and the Grand Trunk Road.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 11th, 2016.
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