Illegal businesses: Replies sought from govt till Oct 10

Justice Ayesha A Malik turned down a request for a stay order against functioning of factories in residential areas.

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Friday sought replies from the government and others on a petition seeking action against factories established in residential areas. Justice Ayesha A Malik, however, turned down a request for a stay order against functioning of factories in the residential areas. The judge adjourned hearing till October 10 and directed the respondents to file their replies. Pakistan Mazdoor Mahaz filed the petition through Advocate Ishtiaq Chaudhry saying that countless factories and industries were working in the residential areas across the province. The counsel said these factories had been established illegally but the government had failed to take any action against them. He requested the court to order the Punjab government, the Lahore Development Authority and the Buildings Department to take action against all illegal factories and close them down.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 15^th, 2012.