LHC seeks report on commercial use of Walled City heritage buildings

Justice Malik Awais Khalid issued the directions while hearing a petition filed by citizen Zeeshan Farooq. In compliance with the court's orders,

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday expressed serious concern over the commercial use of heritage buildings and alleged illegal construction activities in Lahore’s Walled City, directing the relevant authorities to submit a comprehensive report and development plan.

Justice Malik Awais Khalid issued the directions while hearing a petition filed by citizen Zeeshan Farooq. In compliance with the court’s orders, the Deputy Commissioner Lahore, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), and the Director Operations of the Walled City Authority appeared before the court.

During the proceedings, the court sought details of the report prepared by the committee constituted to investigate illegal construction activities in the Walled City. Justice Khalid observed that a complete assessment of both residential and commercial buildings must first be carried out, directing the authorities to submit a detailed plan at the next hearing.

The court also questioned how many historical buildings had been converted to commercial use before the formulation of the master plan and ordered the authorities to provide complete details of such properties.

Counsel for the petitioner, Khalid Jamil Advocate, argued that illegal construction continued unabated within the jurisdiction of the Walled City Authority and alleged that the authority’s own officials were violating the laws they were responsible for enforcing. He informed the court that permission had been granted for the construction of eight-storey buildings, while unlawful construction activities had continued despite an existing restraining order issued by the court.

The court directed the authorities to submit a comprehensive report detailing the number of buildings declared commercial before the master plan, along with complete information regarding residential and commercial activities within the Walled City.

The hearing was subsequently adjourned until September 14, when the authorities are expected to submit the requested report and development plan.