The Lahore High Court has stayed the implementation of Lahore Master Plan 2050 much to the dismay of property developers and realtors.

The court heard a petition filed by a concerned citizen, Mian Abdur Rehman, and issued notices to the Punjab government, chief secretary, and other relevant authorities on Tuesday.

Punjab Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi approved Lahore Master Plan 2050 on December 21 sparking a real estate rush. The Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) project which earned notoriety for taking over agricultural lands from farmers is also part of the Lahore Master Plan 2050, according to the petition filed by Rehman.

The petition said that the government had launched a plan to construct residential and commercial buildings along the River Ravi in contravention of a previous court order. The Lahore High Court, in the past, had ordered the government to protect agricultural lands and plant forests, but the government instead came up with a master plan that will lead to deforestation of the area, the petition said.

The petitioner urged the court to declare the master plan illegal.

Additional Advocate General Makhdom Ali Tipu opposed the petition, urging the court to throw it out.

Justice Shahid Karim, however, said that some government projects were causing climate challenges and posed a risk to the country’s economy. How would our rulers ask for money at the Geneva Conference, the judge said, referring to the International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan, where donors pledged over $10 to help Pakistan cope with climate change.

The court adjourned for two weeks after issuing notices to the government and asking them to submit a response.

More to follow