Green belt: TMO summoned to explain tree-cutting

Judge unhappy with counsel’s failure to answer questions.

LAHORE:

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday summoned Shalimar Town municipal officer (TMO) to appear before the court and explain cutting of the trees from a green belt in Shadbagh Scheme-II area allegedly to set up a food street.

The LHC issued the order after the TMA counsel failed to satisfy the court.

Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed expressed his displeasure over government officials’ apparent ignorance of their responsibilities and developments in their areas.

He regretted that the court was frequently forced to summon the chief secretary and the inspector general of police to explain matters to the court.

Earlier, the judge adjourned the next hearing till the next week.

The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) representative informed the court that it was not establishing any food street in the area. He told the court that there were at least 400 trees in the area and the authority had no plans to cut them down and set up a food street.

The petition was filed by Hafiz Moeen Ahmad challenging the setting up of a food street by cutting down trees from a green belt in Shadbagh.

He said that the government and the PHA had no authority to convert parks and green belts into commercial areas.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 28^th, 2011.