Parking plaza: Judge resents absence of PHA counsel

‘PHA DG will be summoned if counsel does absent for next hearing.'

LAHORE:

Justice Shaikh Azmat Saeed of the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday showed displeasure over the absence of the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) counsel and said that he will summon the PHA director general if the counsel did not appear for the next hearing.

Justice Saeed was hearing a petition against construction of the Liberty Park and Ride Plaza.

However, the judge, after receiving a written request from the PHA counsel, adjourned the hearing till July 8.

The judge also asked for the master site plan of Gulberg Society to determine the status of the plaza land.

The petitioners, owning business in the Liberty Market and around it, had challenged the construction of the plaza contending that the land was originally allocated for development of a park.

The petitioners had asked the court for a stay order against the auction of 26 shops in the plaza.

They said their customers were not allowed to park their vehicles in front of their shop which was affecting their incomes.

The petitioners also challenged closure of certain roads to facilitate the plaza.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 18th, 2011.