LAHORE – Lahore High Court (LHC) Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed on Friday stayed conversion of a recreational park at the Lahore Press Club Journalists Housing Colony, Harbanspura into a residential area by creating plots for 295 newly-inducted members of the club. Hearing a petition filed by club member Din Muhammad Dard, the court also issued notice for February 11 to managing director (MD) of the Punjab Journalist Housing Foundation, managerial body of the scheme, and all members of the outgoing elected body of the Lahore Press Club.
The court observed that prima facie bar existed on converting allocated land for developing a park into residential plots. The petitioner had inter alia contended to question transformation of a recreational park into a residential area and that the body has distributed forms among members to provide them plots in the park, disturbing the master plan and violating the law. The petitioner, through his counsel submitted that land once fixed for developing a park for residents of the colony could not be used for any other purpose. Dard also referred to superior court authorities to substantiate the point. After hearing arguments, the court passed an interim order against conversion of the park and issued notice to respondents.
