The 5-member larger bench led by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan reserved its ruling On April 17 while hearing appeals of Nespak, Lahore Development Authority (LDA), Punjab Mass Transit Authority and the Punjab government challenging the Lahore High Court (LHC) stay order against the project. Reserving its verdict in the OLMT project case, the Supreme Court had asked Muhammad Azhar Siddique to file reply on the reports of the LDA, Nespak and the Punjab government, whereas the bench also asked Nespak counsel Shahid Hamid to file a rejoinder to architecture Kamil Khan Mumtaz's report in the matter.
Counsel for the civil society said that shortcomings of the environmental report are so serious that they require immediate remedy in the form of a new environmental report. Siddique requested the Supreme Court that review report must give a clear statement as to how the additional information can be collected and presented. He requested the court to declare the approval for the OLMT null and void, seeking that no further demolition of residences must be undertaken.
He prayed the court that a full study of solid waste disposal must be carried out, with measures in place as required and all evictees must be identified and interviewed so that remedial action may be undertaken. Meanwhile, issuing a press statement on Friday, Civil Society Network Pakistan for Human Rights requested Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar to re-hear the OLMT case for protection of the cultural heritage
Copyright Business Recorder, 2017