LAHORE – The transplantation of 123 trees and dismantling of fountains and major ponds for the underground parking plaza project at the British-era Nasser Bagh has drawn sharp criticism from the public and civil society, which announced a protest on Dec 2 against the project.
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The Traffic Engineering and Transport Planning Agency (Tepa), a subsidiary of the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) and executing agency of the project, defended the work, saying the uprooted trees had been safely transplanted under the guidance of horticulture experts. Tepa added that the project would help ease traffic congestion, reduce smog, and provide safe parking for motorists.
Dr Ajaz Anwar, eminent historian and founding member of the Lahore Conservation Society (LCS), announced that students from the National College of Arts (NCA), Government College University (GCU), and other educational institutions surrounding the garden would join the protest. He warned that the government should relocate the project to a more suitable site.
Are you really turning Nasir Bagh into a parking plaza? I honestly can’t believe this decision. Destroying one of Lahore’s few green spaces for parking is outrageous @MaryamNSharif
— Deja Who? (@Khaditweets) November 29, 2025
Dr Anwar expressed concern over the transplantation of trees during winter, noting that the best time for relocation is March and some trees may fail to survive. However, he appreciated plans to plant bamboo trees along sewage drains in the city.
The Rs1.63 billion “Provision of Underground Parking Facility at Nasser Bagh” project is part of the Lahore Authority for Heritage Revival (LAHR) plans. The Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) approved the project in September, followed by administrative approval from the Local Government Department. The project aims to address severe traffic congestion caused by on-street and illegal parking in the dense commercial and heritage zone.
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Tepa Chief Engineer Iqrar Hussain told Dawn that the transplanted trees were young, with girths of 3 to 5 inches, and could adapt well to the new soil. He said all 123 trees were relocated under the supervision of the NGO Save the Tree. Hussain maintained that the project would mitigate environmental challenges while improving traffic flow and public convenience.