LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday directed the Punjab secretary for housing and urban development to come up with suggestions on how to stop wastage of clean water.

Justice Ali Akbar Qureshi remarked that all the resources would be utilised to save water and charges would be levied on car service stations for using clean water.

He was hearing a petition moved by Abdullah Malik of the Civil Society Network, pleading that clean water was being wasted by the government and the individuals.

The housing secretary appeared before the court and sought time to submit the government plan for water preservation in detail.

Justice Qureshi expressed dismay over the secretary’s request and wondered whether the government would complete its plan in the year 2050. He said the court could not delay the proceedings for weeks and directed the secretary and Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) to present their reports today (Tuesday).

Says car service stations to be charged for using clean water

The judge further said the case would be heard on a daily basis.

The petitioner, through counsel Azhar Siddique, had contended that the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) washed all main roads of the city and watered plants with clean water while vehicles were washed at private service stations with clean water.

He said a huge amount of clean water being wasted by the government and private persons could be recycled, if steps were taken to save it. He said canal water could be used for watering plants and greenbelts in the city instead of clean water.

UET: Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh of the Lahore High Court issued notices to the Punjab government on a petition challenging alleged illegal appointments in the University of Engineering and Technology (UET).

Advocate Sheraz Zaka had challenged the appointment of UET registrar Muhammad Asif and controller examinations Zaigham Nusrat.

The lawyer argued the respondents had been appointed in violation of service rules of the UET.

The judge issued notices to the provincial government to explain whether it wanted to remove illegal appointments on its own or the court would decide the issue on the next hearing (Dec 19).

BARRICADES: A writ petition has been filed in the Lahore High Court against barricades installed outside the residence of Punjab opposition leader Hamza Shahbaz.

Munir Ahmed filed the petition through Advocate Azhar Siddique pleading that hurdles had been created in the name of security by using government land. He said the barricades erected in the name of security had been causing problems to citizens and residents of the area in particular. He sought court’s direction for the removal of these hurdles from outside the residence of the opposition leader.

Published in Dawn, September 18th, 2018