LHC warns of criminal action over tree cutting

Court directs that matter be brought to notice of Director General PHA

LAHORE:

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday expressed displeasure over the cutting of trees in the city and indicated that criminal cases could be registered against officials of the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) over the felling of trees near Doctors Hospital.

Justice Shahid Karim, while hearing petitions related to smog mitigation, summoned the relevant PHA officers to appear before the court on January 12 and ordered immediate action against those found responsible.

During the hearing, Advocate Azhar Siddique informed the court that trees located between the canal and the road in front of Doctors Hospital had been cut.

Environmental Commission member Syed Kamal Haider told the court that he had personally visited the site and confirmed that the tree cutting had been carried out by the PHA.

Advocate Siddique also played a video of the incident in the courtroom.

After viewing the footage, Justice Shahid Karim ordered an immediate inquiry and observed that criminal proceedings would be initiated against those found responsible.

The court directed that the matter be brought to the notice of the Director General PHA, remarking that the authority was expected to prevent tree cutting rather than undertake it.