LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Friday expressed its serious displeasure over the cutting of trees along the canal and warned of registration of cases against the officials concerned of the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA).
Justice Shahid Karim was hearing the petitions regarding the smog and other environmental and water issues.
During the hearing, Advocate Azhar Siddique informed the court that some trees along the canal near the Doctors’ Hospital had been cut. In support of his claim, he also presented a video recorded on his mobile phone.
To a court query, Syed Kamal Haider, a member of a judicial commission, stated the PHA workers trimmed branches of the trees.
The judge observed that repeated orders had been issued by the court imposing a ban on cutting trees.
He expressed his regret that the PHA should have stopped this action, but instead initiated the tree-cutting itself.
Justice Karim sought a detailed report from the PHA on the matter.
The judge remarked that cases would be registered against the officials responsible for the tree cutting and they would also be arrested through court orders.
Asked about the status of an underground parking plaza in Nasser Bagh, Advocate Siddique told the court that the legality of the plaza’s construction had already been challenged through a separate petition.
The judge sought a report by experts on the parking plaza.
The lawyer pointed out that Dungi Ground in Gulberg had been retrieved from commercial concerns after a long time, but a restaurant had now been established there again.
He further pointed out that a floating restaurant was being constructed on Canal Road near Jallo Park.
Justice Karim remarked that the court had repeatedly instructed the PHA not to use parks to build restaurants and instead libraries should be built there. He questioned whether running restaurants was the only job left for the government.
The judge regretted that public money was being wasted and decorative lights had been installed across the city.
Separately, the judge directed the government to monitor car service stations and impose heavy fines for water wastage.
The judge would resume further proceedings on Jan 12.
Meanwhile, the PHA withdrewon Friday the additional charge of the Canal Project from the director and suspended three others, over the cutting of a fully-grown branch of a tree along the Canal Road on Thursday.
According to PHA Managing Director Raja Mansoor Ahmad, the action was taken after some officials of the authority cut a full branch of a tree along the canal near the Doctors’ Hospital underpass instead of trimming it, inviting public criticism.
“The officials, under the standard operating procedures (SOPs), are required to trim tree branches up to four feet or so. But, they chopped an entire developed branch of a tree, which shouldn’t have happened,” the PHA MD told media.
“It’s a serious negligence and cannot be ignored. Whosoever is found guilty of such acts must be taken to task,” he said.
According to a PHA spokesman, as the administration, in line with the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, is committed to protect and preserve trees and plants, it took a “strict” action over the illegal cutting of a tree branch on the Canal Road by removing the project director concerned from his position and suspended three other officials, including a supervisor, for violating the rules, regulations and procedures while performing their duty.
“Taking immediate notice of the incident, the PHA MD also ordered an inquiry against the officers/officials concerned. Following the findings, Director (Horticulture) Javed Ahmed was relieved of the additional charge of Project Director Canal. Meanwhile, Waqar Rehman, Project Director of Jilani Park, has been assigned the additional responsibility of the project director.
Meanwhile, Supervisor Zafar Iqbal and staff members Muzammil and Aqeel Hussain have been suspended.
A formal notification regarding the suspensions has also been issued. “The PHA is fully committed to making Lahore a greener and more beautiful city,” he said and warned that no negligence, misconduct, or violation of rules regarding environmental protection would be tolerated under any circumstances.
MEETING: Punjab Horticulture Authority (PHA) Director General Naheed Gul Baloch has directed the heads of the newly established district horticulture agencies to submit detailed plans outlining measures to initiate horticultural operations in their respective cities.
She sought this during a meeting with the managing directors of the 11 newly-formed agencies. The agencies, announced recently by the provincial government, will operate in Jhang, Rahim Yar Khan, Khushab, Nankana Sahib, Sheikhupura, Okara, Gujrat, Jhelum, Murree, Khanewal, and Muzaffargarh.
Ms Baloch instructed the managing directors to present a roadmap to commence their agencies’ operations and propose initiatives to enhance the horticultural and aesthetic beauty of their cities. She emphasised that the provincial body is committed to ensuring a greener Punjab, in line with the chief minister’s vision, with additional focus on remote districts.
To facilitate the transition, the government has formed District Transition Teams (DTTs). These teams, initially headed by the relevant deputy commissioners, will oversee the transfer of material and human assets from municipal committees to the new agencies.
The managing directors were also instructed to arrange uniform kits bearing the PHA logo for their staff.
Published in media, January 10th, 2026
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