LAHORE: Justice Sajid Mahmood Sethi of the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Thursday directed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct a new environment impact assessment (EIA) survey of an under-construction multi-storied building being built for the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) in Old Anarkali.
The judge ordered the EPA to cancel the project if it was found to be contrary to environmental objectives. The judge directed the EPA to review the initial environmental examination afresh and accord approval to the EIA subject to certain conditions. The agency was empowered to reject the project if it was found to be in violation of rules.
The LHC issued the directions in the judgment issued on Thursday on petitions filed by resident of Anarkali, Khurshid Alam, Mehboob Munawar and others, who had claimed that the building was being built without a valid EIA.
The judge ordered the EPA to resolve the controversy by applying an independent mind after hearing petitioners and stakeholders and taking into consideration the environmental aspect of the construction. The LHC judge held that the EPA was under a legal duty to act in accordance with law if any building, having environmental impact, was constructed without any EIA/permission.
The judge directed to the EPA to comply with the order within 30 days and submit a compliance report to the LHC deputy registrar (judicial).
The petitioners’ counsel said that the construction of such a security sensitive building would put the lives of the locals in danger.
He said that in recent past terrorists had attacked buildings of law enforcement agencies resulting into loss of lives and property of citizens. He said residents of the area were already facing considerable hardship due to the extraordinary security measures taken for the nearby IG office. “Now, the construction of a multi-storied CIA complex will obviously entail similar security arrangements and the life of the local residents will become even more difficult,” the counsel said.
He said the land taken for the project construction was previously used by a single-storey building that provided residence to police officers. He requested the court to stop the authorities from continuing the construction work keeping in view that the area was purely residential. “There are houses and schools around the building. It will put the lives of residents in risk and jeopardise the safety and security of the whole area,” the counsel said.
On behalf of the inspector general of Punjab Police, a report was submitted. However, the judge declined to accept it and directed the assistant advocate general to furnish the complete record of approval, if any, or admit that police was constructing the building without obtaining the necessary permission.
After conclusion of arguments on December 6, the court had reserved judgment.
Published in Daily Times, December 15th 2017.