Body to probe ‘flawed’ underpass work

Judge expresses displeasure over government’s report

LAHORE:

Lahore High Court’s (LHC) Justice Shahid Karim came down hard on the inundation of Kalma Chowk underpass by rainwater and directed the caretaker government to constitute a committee to probe the Central Business District (CBD)'s project. Justice Karim also directed the officers concerned to submit the committee's report by the next date.

As the CBD's counsel submitted a report on the underpasses, Justice Karim expressed his displeasure over the government's report. “Everything has been written in the report, but the actual responsible CEO is missing from this report,” Justice Karim remarked.

The lawyer representing CBD told the court that Chief Minister Punjab had formed a committee. To which Justice Karim remarked, "Then whose name should be on top? The name which should be on top is actually missing in the report," Justice Karim further remarked.

“Point out in Gulberg area where the rainwater has badly hit and stop all work there as the court will constitute a committee,” Justice Karim observed. On this, the CBD's lawyer requested the court not to stop the work there.

“This is public money being misused,” Justice Karim remarked.

The judge also remarked that the deputy commissioner should compensate those citizens for damages owing to the rainwater. The officials parried the query when asked what action has been taken against those officers who constructed the CBD underpass.

During proceedings, the court also asked the concerned officer why the underpass was inaugurated in a hurry and why it failed its intended purpose.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 28^th, 2023.