SC orders demolition of petrol pumps on greenbelts in Faisalabad

The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the authorities concerned to demolish all the petrol pumps and remove encroachments on amnesty plots and greenbelts in Faisalabad.

The apex court further ordered that the greenbelts and amnesty plots be restored to their original condition in the city.

A three-member bench of the top court led by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed heard a case regarding the lease of petrol pumps in Punjab.

During the hearing, the chief justice directed the Faisalabad commissioner to conduct a survey of the city and observed that a land which had been allotted for a specific purpose should be used for that particular reason.

On being asked whether the petrol pumps established in greenbelts and joy parks had been demolished, the commissioner replied in affirmative.

The chief justice asked how the petrol pumps were set up on the greenbelts to which the commissioner responded that the land in question had been leased 30 years ago.

The top judge directed the commissioner to review the matter and take action against the culprits.

The commissioner noted that the apex court’s decision had empowered him and added that action would be taken on all encroachments on the greenbelts.

Additional Advocate General Punjab Faisal Chaudhry said that that the Punjab government would take action against all such encroachments on amnesty plots and greenbelts in the province.

Justice Ijazul Hassan remarked that greenbelts were essential for the city.

Justice Qazi Amin observed that it was the job of the administration to look after the city’s affairs and not of parliamentarians or judges.

He further said that conducting commercial activities on amnesty plots and greenbelts was the failure of an administration.

The hearing of the case was adjourned for an indefinite period.